ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan offers huge opportunities for investment in the technology sector.

In a meeting with Yi Xiang, senior vice president of Huawei, and president of the Middle East and Africa Region of Huawei, the premier said that foreign tech companies would be facilitated in all respects regarding investment and expansion.

The present government intends to increase the IT exports of Pakistan from $1.5 billion to $15 billion in the coming year and for that close collaboration with Huawei will result in the provision of training to the youth of Pakistan through various means, including setting up ICT academies.

Shehbaz Sharif emphasised that investment in the tech sector would increase employment and skills enhancement of Pakistani youth, especially women, as the government is focusing on to increase the number of women in the e-commerce sector by providing them the suitable environment to get themselves trained and raise capital.

He also emphasised the need to expedite the process of strategising the collaborative efforts within a week and highlighted the government’s willingness to not leave any stone unturned to achieve the objectives.

The prime minister expressed satisfaction over Huawei’s long association with Pakistan and investment in the telecom sector.

Yi Xiang thanked the prime minister and expressed interest in expanding Huawei’s footprint in Pakistan.

Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah and China Embassy’s Charged’ Affairs Pang Chunxue were also present during the meeting.