October 4, 2002	Friday	Rajab 26, 1423

AL-KHOBAR, Oct 3: A number of Saudi business houses have expressed their desire to tie up with their Pakistani business counterparts, it was announced here during a seminar organized by the Institution of Engineers-Pakistan, Eastern Province Chapter.

IEP organized the seminar to showcase the emerging potential of Pakistan in the field of Information Technology at Hotel Al-Gosaiabi, Al-Khobar on the occasion of the ITCN-Saudi Arabia, currently being held at the Dhahran Expo Centre here.

Arif Khosa of Pakistan Software Export Board gave a presentation on explosive growth of information technology in Pakistan, its prospects and potential. He said that at present there were 21 million IT trained professionals in Pakistan and the country is making significant progress in this sector. He was of the opinion that Pakistan exports could touch the $20 billion mark within a short period, with information technology providing the required drive for the growth. He said that seven new IT universities would be operating in Pakistan within the next two years.

Abdul Fattah Tunio, Dr. Khurshid Shah and Professor Dr. Aqil Burney of Sindh IT Board touched different aspects of IT activity in the province.

Dr. Burney informed the select gathering of Pakistani professionals in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia that 80 universities are offering bachelors and masters programme in information technology in Pakistan, producing some 14,000 qualified students every year. He also mentioned that 24,000 students are currently registered at different IT institutes in Pakistan.

Sikandar Niazi of LG technologies, Pakistan’s only optic fiber manufacturing company, offered the services of his company and dwelt at length the capabilities of his company in the field.

Engineer Zaighan Mahmood Rizvi, the Managing Director of the Pakistan Kuwait Investment Co. (Pvt) Ltd highlighted the activities of the of ITCN and its CEO. He also referred to the improving investment climate in Pakistan and the strides Pakistan has made over the last few years despite adverse circumstances all around.

Dr. Khursheed Nizam of the ITCN announced that similar activities would be carried out by the Pakistani group on a regular basis. He also announced that his organization would hold a pharmaceutical exhibition soon here to highlight Pakistan’s potential in the fields of pharmaceuticals and surgical instruments.

Wong Jey Shayn of Commerce Net, Singapore, who is the co-organiser of the event thanked the Pakistani expatriate community and urged them to support the initiative as much as they can.

Tariq Barlas, the CEO of the Al-Tuwairiki Group, who sponsored the event at the hotel, distributed shields among the key participants.