Digitalise Pakistan: Opportunities and Challenges

A seminar was held at the Embassy Day in 12th Asia Pacific Week in Berlin.

The 12th Asia Pacific Weeks Focus on Digitalisation as a global megatrend of the 21st Century. Experts and stakeholders from Europe and Asia are discussing trends in digitalization, their interdisciplinary applicability and visionary innovations. In the "Asia-Europe Dialogue on Digitalisation", experts and curious people are involved in the fourth industrial revolution in production and logistics, smart cities, fin tech, robotic, internationalisation, artificial intelligence and Internet of Things.

“Im Schinkel-Zimmer Palais, Berlin” Ambassador Jauhar Saleem highlighted that Pakistan’s digital sector is carving a differentiated position as the preferred source for software developers, programmers, and application designers. In the opening remarks, he also touched upon the incubators offered by the government for foreign investors in this field.

Speaking with Geo.tv, the ambassador said, in last three years Pakistani software exports have increased by 70%, therefore foreign venture capitals see Pakistan in a fresh perspective. The government of Pakistan recently introduced various business friendly policies which provide lots of opportunities, especially in StartUp sector. In coming five years Pakistan will become a major player in global IT sector, he added.

The Commercial Counsellor Jehangir Mushtaq gave a comprehensive presentation on ‘Way forward to a Digital Pakistan’. He briefly highlighted few success stories of Pakistani StartUps worldwide.

Pakistan has the capacity to solve local issues using technology and communication methods. According to the Pakistan Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Report 2016, 13.5 million mobile broadband users and 125 million mobile phone subscribers are available in Pakistan, which is a far bigger number in terms of the population of Germany which is Europe's biggest country.

Adnan Ahmad, a young entrepreneur from Pakistan enlightened the audience with his experience about the Start-ups and Ecosystem in Pakistan.

Adnan Ahmed told Geo.tv, the internet and mobile penetration are increasing drastically in Pakistan. The consumer does online shopping frequently even internet banking considers to be a safe option in Pakistan.

Executive member of German Asia-Pacific Business Association recognises the good potential in Pakistani StartUps companies. 'It is a good opportunity to sit together at Asia Pacific Week and work out how German or European startups can engage themselves in Pakistan.' said Timo Prekop.

12th Asia-Pacific Weeks (APW) took place from May 15th to 28th, 2017. APW 2017 is guiding theme “Digitalisation” from the international climax and conclusion of the startup in the month of May.

IT Experts and players from Europe and Asia have discussed the status quo and trends of digitalisation, interdisciplinary possibilities of its use as well as visionary innovations.

Visitors also have the opportunity to participate in cultural events, shows and exhibitions all over Berlin.