In a significant move to bolster Pakistan’s digital landscape, Google has launched an initiative to manufacture 500,000 Chromebooks in the country, marking the occasion by presenting the first device to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a ceremony on Thursday.
The event was attended by key government officials, including Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal.
Google Asia Pacific President Scott Beaumont presented the locally manufactured Chromebook to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
In his address, PM Sharif praised Google’s contributions both globally and locally, emphasizing the potential of Pakistan’s youth in IT and their role in economic development.
He outlined the government’s target of $25 billion in IT exports over the next five years and urged support for this goal while promoting SMEs and freelancers.
During the briefing, Access Partnership released a report titled “Agay Barho: Empowering Pakistan’s Digital Economy,” which highlighted Pakistan’s IT industry as a key driver of economic recovery and growth despite ongoing challenges.
The report noted a 2.7-fold increase in IT services exports since 2014, reaching 35% of all service-sector exports in 2023. It emphasized the vital role of digital technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), in boosting exports and creating new opportunities.
The report projected that digital solutions such as mobile apps, online video services, and cross-border e-commerce could add Rs1.8 trillion to Pakistan’s annual export value by 2030. It also called for increased investment in digital skills training to improve competitiveness and readiness for the digital economy.
Shaza Fatima Khawaja commended Google’s efforts in advancing the digital economy, highlighting the immense potential of digital exports. She noted that Google’s initiatives had provided over 960,000 jobs to Pakistani youth in 2023 alone.
Farhan S Qureshi, Google Pakistan’s country director, highlighted the substantial economic impact of Google’s AI-powered tools, contributing Rs3.9 trillion to Pakistan’s economy in 2023.
He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to local Chromebook production and support for Pakistan’s digital sector.
Additionally, a four-member Google delegation led by Scott Beaumont met with PM Sharif.
The prime minister outlined Pakistan’s plans to meet its IT export goals, including investments in youth training, IT infrastructure, and regulatory improvements.
Beaumont assured continued investment in Pakistan and support for the government’s youth skills training initiatives, stressing the importance of leveraging the country’s youthful population and growing economy for technology-driven growth.