ISLAMABAD: Jowad Khan, a Pakistani expatriate in Saudi Arabia who was honored with the prestigious BTX top CEO award in Riyadh last month, said on Saturday the Kingdom’s rapid digital transformation has created vast opportunities for experienced Pakistani IT firms to expand their market.
Khan, chief executive officer of the Cynosure Worldwide marketing communications firm in the Kingdom, was honored with the prestigious BTX Top CEO award during an event organized by the Global Media Group in Riyadh on June 14, 2023. The BTX Awards recognized outstanding CEOs and top executives who had made significant contributions to the development of Saudi Arabia.
Attended by CEOs and executives from 24 companies, the event highlighted Saudi Arabia as a promising market with a rapidly growing economy.
“Saudi Market is transforming itself to the digital age so rapidly where experienced Pakistani IT companies can expand their market in the Kingdom and Pakistani government can also learn from the Saudi government,” Khan told Arab News in an interview over the phone from Riyadh.
This combination of photos shows Pakistani expatriate, Jowad Khan at BTX Awards in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on June 14, 2023. (Photo courtesy: Jowad Khan)
Geographically, he said, both brotherly nations were very close to each other and could collaborate in IT, especially in artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and tourism.
“Specifically, [in the] renewable energy sector, as it has a huge potential for growth and investment,” he added.
The Pakistani expat noted that the Saudi economy was making strides as the Kingdom achieved a significant 8.7 percent growth in 2022, the highest among all G20 countries.
“We are experiencing rapid growth in Saudi Arabia’s economy, as the number of small and medium enterprises reached 892,063 last year, increasing by 25.6 percent from 2021’s fourth quarter and SMEs (small-medium enterprises) have increased 25 percent in revenue,” he continued.
Khan said his company provided services in developing innovative strategies, providing media and marketing solutions, and implementing customer-centric marketing approaches.
“I was born here in Saudi Arabia and I always feel that it is my home,” he said. “We are grateful to be part of Saudi Arabia’s economic growth.”
He said the Kingdom had a lot of respect for Pakistani manpower due to their willingness to take initiative.
“The can-do behavior, integrity, [being] intelligent enough to finish their job, self-motivated and culture-fit, due to these qualities, Pakistani professionals are highly respected in Saudi Arabia,” Khan added.
