KARACHI, Aug 9: Some 600 delegates have arrived Pakistan to attend the ITCN-2002 which starts at Expo Centre on Saturday after its formal inauguration at a seminar being held at Sheraton Hotel.

This was stated by Sindh Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh while addressing a press conference along with Dr Khurshid Nizam, Chief Organiser ITCN-2002, Arif Elahi, DG Board of Investment and Mr Wang, CEO Com.net Singapore here pm Friday evening.

He said this year some 300 Pakistani and foreign firms have set up their stalls at Expo Centre which is now full to its capacity while scores of requests for more space were still pending with the organisers.

The ITCN-2001, he said proved a grand success and so will be the ITCN-2002 which will now become a regular annual feature.

He requested the media to play its due role in properly and more effectively highlighting the event so as to make Pakistan to emerge as a more investment and IT-friendly country on the world scene.

Replying to a question, Dr Hafeez Shaikh said it would not be possible to precisely predict the financial benefits of ITCN-2002 but it is certain to generate hectic economic and financial activity in the tourism and hotel industries, airlines, Expo centre and IT related activities.

He said last year was not a good year for IT sector as major IT companies suffered value-wise besides lay-offs and fall of shares in stock markets.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Wang, CEO Com.net Singapore said Pakistan does offer a big potential for investment in the IT sector.

Addressing the press conference, chief organiser ITCN-2002, Dr Khurshid Nizam informed that during ITCN-2001, MoUs worth Rs 100 million dollars were signed and of them 75 million dollars worth were converted into agreements.

He told a questioner that it would not be possible to say exactly about the financial transactions to take place during ITCN-2002.

However, he said this event would make Karachi a Regional Hub of IT for markets in the Central Asia, Middle East, Afghanistan and even in Pakistan.

He described ITCN-2002 a classic example of public-private sector collaboration with Sindh Government playing the role of a felicitator showing its seriousness towards promoting the cause of IT in Pakistan.

Dr Khurshid pointed out that ITCN has chalked out its planning for the next 10 years.

He told newsmen that while investors showed concern to visit Pakistan because of imaginary law and order problem, Mr Wang of Singapore Com.net, who had the same feelings, paid 12 visits to Pakistan during the last two years.

He said that with an active cooperation of the government, he can organise such events every month.

The DG Board of Investment, Arif Elahi, informed the press that a number of IT-related delegations have visited Pakistan this year.

He pointed out that IT parks have established in at least three major buildings in Karachi besides a number of call centres have been established while more were in the process of establishment.—APP