Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh Champions U.S.-Pakistan Tech Collaboration in Silicon Valley

Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, H.E. Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, accompanied by the Consul General of Pakistan in Los Angeles, engaged in a series of level meetings in Silicon Valley, focusing on enhancing trade and investment in Pakistan’s rapidly expanding IT sector. These interactions underscored the government’s commitment to fostering a dynamic environment for technological innovation and international collaboration.

At the Annual Forum of the Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs (OPEN) Silicon Valley, the Ambassador outlined Pakistan’s ambitious IT growth targets, aiming to increase IT and IT-enabled services (ITES) exports to $15 billion by 2029 and $30 billion by 2030. He highlighted the thriving freelancer ecosystem, comprising world’s second largest active professionals, which places Pakistan among the top global providers of freelance services. The Ambassador underscored the importance of recent policy reforms. These changes are designed to bolster the sector’s international competitiveness and encourage global expansion. He noted that IT sector provided low-hanging fruit and the sector is very cost-effective and has bright future prospects.

In addition to addressing the forum, the Ambassador held extensive discussions with corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors actively involved in Pakistan’s IT and tech ecosystem. He highlighted the government’s efforts to provide a conducive business environment through tax incentives, regulatory reforms, and improved infrastructure. He stressed the vast opportunities in sectors like fintech, artificial intelligence, and e-commerce, which have the potential to transform Pakistan’s economic landscape.

Ambassador Sheikh also spoke about the challenges posed by the complex geopolitical dynamics in South Asia but emphasized that technological advancements, especially in fields like AI, can serve as equalizers. He expressed confidence that these technologies could uplift millions of lives, bridge socio-economic gaps, and drive inclusive growth in Pakistan. He expressed full confidence that Pakistan being a resilient nation would overcome all challenges

Throughout his engagements, the Ambassador encouraged U.S.-based investors and entrepreneurs of Pakistani origin to explore Pakistan as an investment destination. He highlighted the long-standing Pakistan-U.S. bilateral relationship as a strong foundation for expanding economic ties. By leveraging these historic ties, he urged the diaspora and business leaders to contribute to Pakistan’s economic progress and technological advancement. These meetings reaffirmed Pakistan’s strategic focus on attracting foreign investment to accelerate economic growth and build stronger partnerships with its international allies.

San Francisco, California
November 9 2024