ISLAMABAD, Nov 20: As IT companies take more and more help from outsourcing of service-providers, half a dozen high-tech Irish firms have entered negotiations for cooperation after getting attracted by the rich potential of Pakistan IT industry.

“Six major companies, such as Softech Systems, MSoft, Efrotech, Esolpk, Invaterra and Alp Business Service Management have made major contacts with the Irish IT companies and are in process of signing up projects,” said a spokesman for the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) on Tuesday.

The areas of interest include capital market, payment services for telecom and entertainment industry, web development and technical capability sets to manage outsourced testing process, he explained.

The official stated that PSEB organised a week-long visit of ten Pakistani IT companies to Ireland, which had most recently concluded with a “major success” as these companies made inroads with numerous companies and trade facilitation bodies of Ireland.

During the visit, the Pakistan delegation attended receptions and business networking meetings with leading Irish companies, which were held in collaboration with the Embassy of Pakistan in Dublin, Ireland Pakistan Business Council (IPBC), South Dublin Chamber of Commerce, Irish IT Industry and various other local partners.

The delegation met the South Dublin Chamber of Commerce and the Irish state development agency ‘Enterprise Ireland’. The delegation also attended networking sessions hosted by Ireland Pakistan Business Council and IT Association of Galway, which had provided an opportunity for Pakistani companies to show their expertise and potential.

The spokesman said major focus of the visit, sponsored by PSEB, was to foster trade collaboration between IT companies of both the countries.

The companies had numerous opportunities to market their products and services in Dublin.

“Another highlight of the visit was the delegation’s participation in the Irish Software Association’s Awards. About 250 representatives of Irish IT industry were present at the occasion, which provided a valuable networking opportunity for the delegation,” the spokesman said.