APAC President Scott Beaumont Presents Locally Manufactured Chromebook to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
Islamabad – In a groundbreaking move for Pakistan’s tech industry, Google has announced its plan to produce 500,000 Chromebooks in the country by 2026. The first locally manufactured device was presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a ceremony on Thursday.
This initiative was revealed during Google event, Agay Barho: A Google for Pakistan, which highlighted the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting Pakistan’s growing digital economy.
During the event, Access Partnership unveiled a report titled Agay Barho: Empowering Pakistan’s Digital Economy, which emphasized the significant role of Pakistan’s Information Technology (IT) industry in driving economic growth, despite various challenges.
Growth in Pakistan’s IT Exports
The report highlighted that Pakistan’s IT services exports have multiplied by 2.7 times since 2014, now accounting for 35% of all service-sector exports as of 2023. It stressed how digital technologies, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI), are creating new opportunities and opening access to global markets, boosting exports.
It also projected that with the right strategies, Pakistan’s digital exports could significantly increase. By focusing on developing exportable digital solutions and reducing market access costs, Pakistan could add an estimated Rs1.8 trillion to its annual export value by 2030. This growth could be driven by industries like mobile apps, online video services, and cross-border e-commerce.
Prominent Figures Attend the Event
The event saw participation from key government officials, including Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal. During the event, Scott Beaumont, President of Google Asia Pacific (APAC), personally presented the first locally produced Chromebook to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Prime Minister’s Remarks on Digital Growth
During his address, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised Google’s global contributions and its role in advancing Pakistan’s digital landscape. He emphasized the immense potential of Pakistan’s youth in the field of IT, highlighting their capability to drive the country’s economic development.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s target of achieving $25 billion in IT exports within the next five years. He called on IT experts and entrepreneurs to collaborate in promoting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and freelancers to reach this goal. Additionally, he committed to transitioning the country’s governance system to a fully digitized and paperless framework, aiming to reduce corruption and improve efficiency.
Ministerial Support for Google’s Initiative
Shaza Fatima, the IT Minister, lauded Google’s contributions to Pakistan’s digital economy. She emphasized the transformative potential of digital exports, stating that collaboration between the public and private sectors could propel Pakistan into a thriving digital age. She also noted that Google created close to 1 million jobs for Pakistani youth in 2023 alone, further highlighting the positive impact of the company’s initiatives.
Google’s Economic Impact in Pakistan
Farhan S. Qureshi, Google country director for Pakistan, also praised the country’s dynamic workforce. He noted that, in 2023, Google AI-powered tools contributed an estimated Rs3.9 trillion to the Pakistani economy. Furthermore, Google’s recent partnership with Tech Valley, Allied, and NRTC will lead to the local production of 500,000 Chromebooks, which has received strong support from the Prime Minister.
The Access Partnership report also emphasized the importance of IT Skills Training in preparing Pakistan’s workforce for the evolving demands of the global market. By narrowing the digital skills gap and adopting more education technologies, Pakistan could potentially add Rs2.8 trillion to its GDP by 2030.
Google’s Commitment to Pakistan’s Future
Separately, a 4-member delegation from Google, led by Scott Beaumont, met with PM Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the future of Pakistan’s digital landscape. During the meeting, the Prime Minister shared the government’s plans to increase IT exports and allocated funds for youth training, enhancing IT infrastructure, and improving the regulatory environment for tech growth.
PM Shehbaz expressed confidence that Pakistan’s digital economy is on the verge of a transformative leap, supported by Google’s initiatives. He also acknowledged Google’s role in empowering Pakistani youth by providing job opportunities and developing digital skills.
Scott Beaumont reiterated Google commitment to increasing its investment in Pakistan, especially in youth skills training and digital education. He emphasized that Pakistan’s large youth population and expanding economy create immense opportunities for further collaboration between the country and global tech giants like Google.
Key Takeaways
- Google plans to produce 500k Chromebooks in Pakistan by 2026.
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed optimism about achieving $25 billion in IT exports in the next five years.
- Google’s initiatives have already created close to 1 million jobs in Pakistan in 2023, contributing Rs3.9 trillion to the economy.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital skills training are seen as critical factors in driving Pakistan’s IT growth.
