ISLAMABAD (The Thursday Times) — Google has announced the production of 500,000 Chromebooks in the country, marking the launch with a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The tech giant unveiled the first locally manufactured Chromebook, presented to the Prime Minister by Scott Beaumont, the President of Google Asia Pacific (APAC), during the event held on Thursday. This initiative is a key part of Google’s broader strategy to unlock opportunities within Pakistan’s growing digital economy.
The event, titled Agay Barho: A Google for Pakistan Event, showcased Google’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s technological advancement. Alongside the Chromebook launch, Access Partnership, a technology consultancy, presented a report titled *Agay Barho: Empowering Pakistan’s Digital Economy*. The report highlighted Pakistan’s IT industry as a critical driver of economic recovery, noting that despite ongoing challenges, the sector is gaining momentum. Pakistan’s IT services exports have increased by 2.7 times since 2014, now accounting for 35% of the country’s service-sector exports in 2023.
A key finding of the report emphasised the role of digital technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), in boosting exports. AI is creating new opportunities for Pakistan by enabling access to overseas markets and streamlining export processes. The report projected that, with the right investments, mobile applications, online video services, and cross-border e-commerce could add Rs1.8 trillion to Pakistan’s export value by 2030.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised Google’s global contributions and its efforts in Pakistan. He expressed confidence in Pakistan’s young generation, particularly in the field of Information Technology, to drive economic development. The Prime Minister also shared the government’s ambitious target of achieving $25 billion in IT exports within the next five years, a goal he believes is achievable with coordinated efforts from both public and private sectors.
The Prime Minister urged IT experts and entrepreneurs to collaborate with the government to develop a roadmap for reaching these export targets. He also emphasised the importance of promoting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and freelancers as key players in the digital economy. Additionally, PM Shehbaz reiterated the government’s commitment to digitising the country’s governance system, aiming to reduce corruption and enhance transparency.
Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja lauded Google’s contributions, stating that the company has been instrumental in driving Pakistan’s digital economy forward. She emphasised that collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential to ensure that Pakistan realises its full potential in the digital age. The Minister further noted that Google created over 960,000 jobs for Pakistani youth in 2023, highlighting the significant impact of the tech giant’s initiatives.
Google Pakistan’s Country Director, Farhan S. Qureshi, shared the company’s pride in contributing to the nation’s digital progress. He revealed that Google’s AI-powered tools added Rs3.9 trillion to the Pakistani economy in 2023. Additionally, he discussed the company’s recent partnership with Tech Valley, Allied, and NRTC to locally produce 500,000 Chromebooks, with support from the Prime Minister’s office.
The report also pointed out the need for continued investment in digital skills and education to ensure Pakistan’s workforce remains competitive in the global digital economy. Closing the digital skills gap could add Rs2.8 trillion to Pakistan’s GDP by 2030, according to the report. It recommended greater adoption of education technologies and digital skills training to accelerate the country’s digital transformation.
In a separate meeting with the Prime Minister, a four-member delegation from Google, led by Scott Beaumont, discussed plans for future engagement in Pakistan. The Prime Minister welcomed the delegation and shared the government’s vision for a fully digitized economy. He noted that the government has allocated funds to improve youth training, IT infrastructure, and the regulatory environment, positioning Pakistan as a significant player in the global tech landscape.
Google’s ongoing investments and initiatives in Pakistan reflect the country’s vast potential in the digital realm. The Prime Minister highlighted that Google’s efforts have already significantly improved the lives of many Pakistanis, particularly through job creation and upskilling initiatives aimed at the youth. Beaumont reaffirmed Google’s commitment to further expanding its presence in Pakistan, underscoring the importance of collaboration to maximise the economic benefits of technology.
