ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday said the 3G licence would be open for all the national and international competitors and it would be awarded transparently.

“We expect that the international bidders will also compete in the 3G licence,” he said, talking to a three-member delegation from the telecom industry.

The prime minister hoped the introduction of 3-G technology in the country would usher in a new era of development of the information technology sector.

The IT sector, he said, was observing fusion of different sectors, including telecom and banking sectors, and investors needed to take advantage of this phenomenon.

Mr Sharif said it would also create jobs for the youth. “Our youth are energetic and if provided opportunity and space, they can excel in the IT sector through their creativity and innovation.”

The delegation, comprising Vimplecom CEO Jo Lender, Emeritus co-founder and chairman Augie K Fabela and Mobilink CEO Rashid Khan, hoped the introduction of 3G technology would provide the necessary momentum to the economy.

The prime minister said the economic indicators and interest shown by multilateral donors were evident that the national economy was growing.

He said the government was working to overcome energy crisis and the shortfall would be met in the next few years.

On the privatisation policy, Mr Sharif said, “The government should not run businesses but facilitate businesses and for this purpose we have raised the trust of the investors.”—APP