ISLAMABAD: Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said this week that the country’s new Chromebook assembly facility has already created 600 jobs in Pakistan, disclosing that US multinational Apple will open its first store in Pakistan next month.
Pakistan launched its first Google Chromebook assembly line on Nov. 4, located at the National Radio & Telecommunications Corporation’s (NRTC) facility in the northwestern city of Haripur. The facility was launched as a result of a public-private partnership involving the Pakistani government, Google and Tech Valley, along with the NRTC and Allied Corporation.
Pakistan has said it hopes to scale production to half a million Chromebooks by 2026, adding that Google’s presence in the country will enable technology transfer and result in more jobs for people.
In an exclusive interview to Arab News on Thursday, Khawaja said Islamabad aimed to export “Made-in-Pakistan” Chromebooks to the region from its manufacturing facility in Haripur.
“Technology transfer has already created 600 jobs in that single assembly line,” the minister said. “I think that’s one of the biggest news for Pakistan this year, that Google has announced their physical presence in the country.”
Khawaja guaranteed users will be able to rely on the quality of the Chromebooks produced in Pakistan, both in terms of the product and the after-sales services.
She noted that increasing high-tech manufacturing in Pakistan will usher in more expertise.
“Google coming into the country poses a lot of confidence in our economy and its overall stability and growth,” the minister noted. “They’ve opened a Chromebook assembly line and are signing a long-term MoU with us for youth training programs.”
The IT minister said the Chromebooks will be affordable devices that will help students in their academic activities. She said the move to begin its production in Pakistan was aimed at enhancing digital inclusion, particularly in schools across the country.
“When we distributed laptops in previous government programs, we saw that it was not just about a device--it was life-changing for students, their families and even their communities,” she said.
APPLE TO ENTER PAKISTAN NEXT MONTH
Khawaja said US-based multinational Apple will also enter Pakistan’s market for the first time next month.
“As far as Apple is concerned, they’re coming in with a partner,” she said.
Khawaja said Air Link, one of Pakistan’s largest manufacturers, distributors and retailers of smartphones, smart TVs, and smart wearables, will help launch an Apple Store in Pakistan in December via a partnership.
“That’s what is happening right now and next month, inshallah, we will be opening the first Apple Store, official Apple Store in Pakistan,” the minister said.
