In a significant move to boost Pakistan’s digital economy, Google announced plans to produce 500,000 Chromebooks in Pakistan by 2026, beginning in the future of local technology production. During a special event in Islamabad on Thursday, the tech giant presented Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif with the first locally made Chromebook.
500,000 Chromebooks in Pakistan
Scott Beaumont, Google’s President for Asia Pacific (APAC), personally handed over the device to the prime minister, marking the beginning of this historic project. Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz praised Google’s continuous efforts both globally and inside Pakistan, highlighting how important technology plays in driving the country’s development. PM Shehbaz also praised Google’s projects, which have considerably improved the lives of thousands of Pakistanis.
Youth Driving Pakistan’s IT Revolution
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised Pakistan’s young population’s huge potential in information technology, expressing confidence that their brainpower and innovation will drive the country’s economic progress. He encouraged the federal and provincial governments to invest a lot in education and technical training, ensuring that the next generation is properly prepared to take advantage of these prospects.
In keeping with this strategy, the prime minister announced the government’s ambitious aim of increasing IT exports to $25 billion over the next five years, which he termed as “entirely achievable.” He advised IT experts and innovators to submit ideas that will assist the government in meeting this milestone while also encouraging the expansion of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and freelancing professionals.
A Vision for Digital Government.
Continuing his speech, Prime Minister Shehbaz pointed out his commitment to upgrading Pakistan’s government by fully automating processes, reducing bureaucracy mistakes and fighting corruption. He highlighted that the recent appointment of a new IT secretary would help to streamline these efforts, ensuring that the government’s digital transformation is transparent and effective.
Google’s Growing Role in Pakistan’s Digital Economy
Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunications, praised Google for playing an important part in the country’s digital development under Prime Minister Shehbaz. She pointed out that working together with Google was critical to advancing the vision of a completely digital Pakistan.
Farhan S. Qureshi, Google’s Regional Director for Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, reiterated this sentiment, noting that the digital industry had enormous potential for freelancers and IT experts. He stressed that Google’s emphasis on technology-driven growth is essential for developing new job opportunities in Pakistan.
The event was also present an important Access Partnership report, “Agay Barho: Empowering Pakistan’s Digital Economy,” which highlights Pakistan’s IT sector as an engine of economic recovery, despite the country’s financial issues. According to the report, IT services exports have increased 2.7 times since 2014, accounting for 35% of Pakistan’s service-sector exports by 2023. The research also focused the key function that digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, play in boosting export growth.
By 2030, the survey predicts that mobile apps, online video services, and cross-border e-commerce will increase Pakistan’s yearly export value by Rs1.8 trillion.
Also read: Discover the Truth About Pakistan’s Internet Issues
Google’s Impact: Jobs, Training, and Economic Growth
In 2023 alone, Google’s projects created over 960,000 jobs for Pakistani youth, helping in the country’s digital skills gap. Farhan Qureshi said that Google’s recent collaborations with Tech Valley, Allied, and NRTC, in partnership with the prime minister, to build 500,000 Chromebooks domestically were significant steps toward improving the country’s tech landscape.
The report also planned that investing in digital education and training may add Rs2.8 trillion to Pakistan’s GDP by 2030, emphasizing the importance of closing the skills gap and encouraging increased usage of digital technology throughout the workforce.
Google Team Meets Prime Minister Shehbaz
In a second meeting, a four-person Google delegation led by Scott Beaumont met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The premier welcomed the tourists and stated that Pakistan is getting ready for a revolutionary leap in its digital economy. He indicated the government’s commitment to meeting the $25 billion IT export objective over the next five years, with a focus on youth training, expanding IT infrastructure, and creating a favorable regulatory environment.
Scott Beaumont marked Google’s support for Pakistan, noting that the business is increasing its investment footprint and supporting government initiatives to provide youth with the skills required for success in the global digital economy.
As the country develops toward digital transformation, Google and Pakistan’s relationship will likely modify the country’s future, establishing it as an important factor in the global technology environment.