KARACHI: Pakistan’s information technology companies have secured several projects in Saudi Arabia after participating in a global conference held in Riyadh earlier this year, said a top official of the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) on Saturday.
About ten Pakistani Information and Technology (IT) companies have secured projects in Saudi Arabia after participating in the global tech conference, LEAP 2022, a top official of the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), said.
Organized by the kingdom’s ministry of communications and information technology, the second edition of LEAP Conference, an annual international tech event that brings disruptive technology professionals together from around the world under one roof, took place in February 2023.
The tech event was institutionalized by the Saudi ministry one year before, and Pakistani companies, including startups, participated in both editions with the help of the country’s embassy in Riyadh and displayed cutting-edge IT products and services.
The participants from Pakistan said the conference turned out to be fruitful for them since they were able to secure a significant number of projects in the kingdom as a result of their participation in the LEAP events.
“Eight to ten Pakistani companies have secured projects in Saudi Arabia,” Muhammad Zohaib Khan, P@SHA chairman, told Arab News.
Khan, who represented the country’s software association at both events, said the conference served as a “stellar opportunity for Pakistan,” adding that some of the companies had opened offices in the kingdom while others were planning to follow suit.
“Some of the companies, including System Limited, one of the largest IT companies in Pakistan, have opened an office in Saudi Arabia, while others were in the process of doing so,” he said.
Systems Limited established Systems Arabia, a subsidiary headquartered in Riyadh, at the end of January this year. Systems Arabia helps digital banks, fintech companies, and payment service providers.
Khan said Pakistani tech firms had started mobilizing resources to materialize the projects obtained from the kingdom.
“Many companies are in the process of follow-up meetings,” he continued. “Inbox Technologies has finalized its partner in Saudi Arabia, while another company, Innovative Network, is going to start its operations.”
Inbox has recently facilitated the launch of the “Makkah Route Project 2023” at the Islamabad International Airport under the kingdom’s sponsorship, partnering with ELM Information Security, according to the company.
The objective of the project is to revolutionize the customs and immigration procedures for Pakistani pilgrims going to Makkah. The project will streamline the process of Hajj and Umrah travel for pilgrims, eliminating the need for customs and immigration checks at the Saudi airports and ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience for them.
The P@SHA chief also said his association was planning to organize a single-country IT exhibition in the Saudi Arabia to promote Pakistan’s IT talent.
“Within the next eight months, we will organize our own single-country exhibition in Saudi Arabia to display Pakistani IT prowess,” he added.
Saudi Arabia is strengthening its economy along modern lines under Vision 2030, a strategic development framework intended to cut reliance on oil and develop public service sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, recreation, and tourism.
LEAP, which is a landmark technology event of international importance, supports the kingdom’s vision to develop a knowledge-based economy and is poised to galvanize public and private organizations in the region and beyond.
LEAP Riyadh is also instrumental for Pakistani IT firms since it can help them explore the Gulf market, which is mostly dominated by arch-rival India.
