PESHAWAR: Pakistan Software Export Board and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board will jointly work on establishment of software technology parks in nine districts of the province.

In this connection a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was inked between PSEB and KPITB for a wide range of collaboration for promotion of information and communication technology in the province, according to a statement issued here on Monday.

Initially, the software technology parks will be established in nine districts of the province including Chitral, Swat, Mansehra, Mardan, Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan, Karak, Kohat and South Waziristan.

The software technology parks will also be established in other districts of the province in next phases. A ceremony to this effect was held here in chief minister secretariat on Monday with Chief Minister Mahmood Khan as chief guest.

The event was attended by Federal Minister for Information Technology Aminul Haq, Adviser to Chief Minister Ziaullah Bangash, Special Assistant to Chief Minister Kamran Bangash and relevant officials.

Speaking on this occasion, the chief minister termed promotion of IT sector in the province as one of the top priority areas of government. He said that government was making concerted efforts to extend maximum facilitation to people, provide employment opportunities to youth, ensure transparency in government business and enhance the capacity of government departments through effective use of information technology.

He termed the signing of MoU between PSEB and KPITB an important development and expressed the hope that the collaboration would be a milestone to promote information and communication technology industry and digital economy in the province.

As per the MoU, PSEB through its programme will assist KPITB for sustainable growth in the information technology industry and in developing the capacity of local entrepreneurs and freelancers in the province.

Similarly, both the bodies will collaborate for enhancing linkages between academia and information technology industry. The PSEB will assist marketing and promotion of information technology industry of the province internationally through its events and virtual meeting with Pakistani embassies, consulate and international companies.

It will work with KPITB to provide marketing and promotional opportunities to information technology industry of the province at national and international level.

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2020