September 4, 2003	Thursday	Rajab 6, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 3: Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) was asked on Wednesday to establish libraries and information centres to boost the local Information Technology (IT) industry.

Information technology minister Awais Leghari gave this direction while presiding over a high-level meeting of the ministerial review committee.

The committee approved several projects that included holding of software exhibitions at home and abroad.

The minister directed the Board to initiate action on these projects and set up libraries and information centres for the benefit of IT companies in Karachi and Peshawar in addition to enhancing the existing facilities in Islamabad and Lahore.

Awais Leghari noted that the current technology parks in Islamabad and Lahore were at full capacity and observed that it was a good sign, as it indicated that the new IT businesses, particularly call centres, were being set up in the country.

It was decided to identify public sector buildings to be converted into technology parks with high-speed bandwidth, video conferencing and other facilities required by the high-tech companies.

One of the projects is to support the local IT companies to participate in the international exhibitions like GITEX, CEBIT, while another is to hold domestic exhibitions in major cities of the country.

“Such events provide an opportunity to the companies to market their products and services and also to form alliances and partnerships,” the minister said after presiding over the meeting.

He said the projects approved also included support for improving the standards of the local IT industry.