Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Thursday urged Swedish companies to invest in Pakistan’s information technology and telecom sector.

“The government is taking steps to promote information and communication technology (ICT) as ICT growth is vital for progress,” she said while addressing the Roundtable on IT and Digitalisation with Swedish tech companies at the Ministry of IT and Telecom. Sweden Ambassador Henrik Persson and representatives of Swedish companies including Ericsson, Need Insights, LCC/Talkpool, Quixel, Saab and Mahaana Wealth were present on the occasion.

“The Ministry of IT and Telecom is working on fulfilling the Digital Pakistan vision through multiple cross-sector initiatives including laws, policies, rules and regulations for creating a true digital landscape,” the minister said. She stressed that the Digital Pakistan policy was paving the way for taking digital transformation to the next level.

She said the government was committed to providing affordable and quality ICT services to the masses. Later, views were exchanged with the Swedish delegation on digitalisation, connectivity, IT and telecom infrastructure, IT exports, startups, e-governance, e-Rozgar, gaming and animation and skill development.

Representatives of the Swedish companies proposed that like Sweden, Pakistan needed to expedite policy steps for the IT sector. They emphasised that Pakistan should produce skilled manpower for IT, adding that Swedish companies were ready to give training to the Pakistanis in that field.

Speaking on the occasion, Swedish Ambassador Henrik Persson said, “Sweden and Pakistan are enjoying good relations and Sweden is keen to enhance cooperation in the field of IT and telecommunication.”