March 16, 2007	Friday	Safar 26, 1428

ISLAMABAD, March 15: Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) and Microsoft have signed a memorandum of understanding that will go towards increasing the capacity building of IT industry of Pakistan.

The MoU was signed at Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom here on Thursday. Secretary IT Farruk Quyum was the chief guest.

PSEB Managing Director Yusuf Hussain said that it was a landmark deal for Pakistan IT industry. “Microsoft has agreed on taking number of initiatives looking at prosperous investment environment of Pakistan,” he added.

According to the MoU, Microsoft would consider the availability of skilled manpower for promoting Research and Development (R&D) in Information Technology. It would also embark on the preparation of a feasibility of a Development Support Centre in Pakistan.

Microsoft would also facilitate enrolment of participating IT companies in their Channel Builder programme to help forge alliances with IT companies globally. Microsoft would offer Royalty Agreement Programme for participating companies to gain more leverage and advantage on selling Microsoft based technologies.

Microsoft had agreed to consider holding a CEO summit in Pakistan which would be addressed by top global technology gurus.

General Manager Microsoft Charles Nahas added that Pakistan offered competitive global market for IT investment. It would provide access to limited hours of complimentary advisory services and also make available its facilities at Microsoft Innovation Centre (MIC) in Karachi for enrolled IT companies to test their specific applications and facilitate local customer engagements.

The software giant would also facilitate enrolled IT companies to have access to its global ISV Testing Services to enable them to submit software and receive certifications on their specific applications.