ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information Technology Anusha Rahman on Monday urged upon the Microsoft team to put in place innovative and cost effective models to help broaden the technology base of the country, besides helping the under privileged segments of the society in the field of health and education.
A high-level delegation of Microsoft USA comprising of Frank McCosker GM affordable access and Mr. Sidney Roberts, head of Technology and Research called on Minister of State for IT Ms. Anusha Rahman on Monday. During the meeting, numerous areas of collaboration have been explored.
“We welcome the Microsoft ’s foot print in Pakistan. This shall foster the culture of innovation and research in the country. That in turn shall nurture entrepreneurship and technology up lift for the socio economic betterment of our people” Anusha Rahman said.
“Pakistan is steering towards an enabling eco system where the technology giants of World are looking at Pakistan as a potential hub of technology and innovation due to its highly talented and cost effective human capital” she said while elaborating the talent landscape and Government’s prioritisation to the delegation.
The minister shared with Microsoft delegates the resolve of the Government to provide affordable connectivity to the people across the country with special focus on underserved and un-served areas through USF subsidy. Establishing tele centers at remote places of Pakistan is the cornerstone of this plan where the un-served people would have a one-point access of basic citizen services through broadband connectivity.
The Microsoft delegation showed their keen interest to partner with Pakistan through their technology centric Corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives alongside help building the culture of innovation and research by training and up skilling the human capital of Pakistan. They have shared their numerous technology models working at various parts of the world that result into the economic progress of the countries.
The minister also apprised the delegation of the Government’s recently launched A request for proposal (RFP) for tech city project under the auspices of Information and Communication Technologies Research & Development (ICT R&D) Fund, as a solicited project where the start ups and incubation shall be nurtured from Government’s platform. She informed the delegation that this Government’s policy is to effectively use the Universal Service Fund (USF) and ICT R&D Fund for socio economic development particularly in the underserved and un-served areas.
Microsoft offered to work with the Government of Pakistan on its “ICT for Girls” programme. This recently initiated project of Government is being launched to teach coding and programming skills to young women at Baitulmal.
Further, it was agreed that Microsoft shall increase its technical base in Pakistan enabled with Global research and innovation and shall work in tandem with local industry to accelerate the digitisation in the country.The minister of IT expressed her Government’s support for all technology giants to broaden their footprint in the country with the objective to provide facilities.
