Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE Faisal Niaz Tirmazi and Usman Asif, CEO of Devsinc, had a strategic discussion on the sidelines of GITEX Global 2024. The conversation was based on the evolving IT landscape in the Middle East and how the growth of Pakistan’s tech sector can contribute greatly to this regional growth. This high-profile dialogue was about concerted IT initiatives with Pakistan and the UAE to improve their relationship and spur the global digital economy forward.
Exponential Growth of IT Sector in the Middle East
Focusing on the discussion, Faisal Niaz Tirmazi talked about the strong upward trend of growth in the IT sector of the UAE and the monumental change that it could bring to the region’s economy. “The UAE’s IT market would expand by 8.1% annually, and its value will continue to break USD 22 billion in 2025,” he said. Tirmazi said that behind the growth was investment across the region in technologies like AI, automation, and cloud computing, which made the Middle East a major player in the global digital economy.
He further added that IT start-ups in the Gulf are closely associated with the ecosystem that encourages innovation. “This growth requires the sustained support of both public and private sectors, which we believe is fundamental to fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and technological advancement,” said Tirmazi. He urged for stronger IT partnerships across the region, particularly in the UAE, which is fast emerging as the global hub for technology and innovation.
Pakistan: Emerging Player in Region’s IT Growth Story
Tirmazi emphasized that Pakistan, with its successful IT industry, happens to be one of the best places to take advantage of these opportunities, as the industry generates exports crossing over USD 2 billion presently. He added that a fast-growing technology industry, both in software development, AI, and digital services, was leading the way for Pakistan. “Pakistan has the talent, the infrastructure, and the determination to play a significant role in the Middle East’s digital transformation,” he said.
IT Startups in Pakistan: Dream of Usman Asif
Usman Asif, the CEO of Devsinc, spoke about the role Pakistani startups are playing in the larger IT landscape. He said that collectively Pakistani tech startups have raised over USD 365 million over the last two years, thus enabling them to compete on the global level. “We have 64 percent of Pakistan’s population under 30 years and over 88 million users, so there is a gigantic pool of talent ready to innovate and transform the digital landscape,” Asif said.
Asif identified the prime need for investment in Pakistan’s startup ecosystem to unlock its full potential. “To enable SMEs, which form 90% of private businesses in Pakistan, there is a need to develop an enabler infrastructure that grants these startups the opportunity to scale and access international markets,” he said. Greater cooperation between Pakistan and the UAE will be required to create a more robust ecosystem to help facilitate tech entrepreneurs to their success.
Strategic Alliances to a Digital Future
The two countries’ leaders agreed on the vast opportunity for strategic alliances between Pakistan and the UAE to take the digital economy forward. According to Tirmazi, synergies emerging from integrating the advanced technology infrastructure of the UAE with Pakistan’s skilled IT workforce will serve the good cause of the region at large. He believes significant strides will be taken regarding AI, blockchain, and digital services through this cooperation between the two nations, thus making them take the top spot in the game internationally
We should build an ecosystem where tech start-ups grow in size and international markets are accessed, and in so doing fuel regional growth. “UAE and Pakistan can form at the front end of this collaboration through strategic collaborations,” noted Usman Asif. Highlighting the opportunity that the partnership would bring, he said that the tie-up would not only provide the eventual push for digital enablement across the Middle East but also throw open new avenues for economic growth and technological innovation.
A Vision for the Future
Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmazi of GITEX Global 2024, and Usman Asif of GITEX Global 2024 shared his commitment to transform the Middle East IT scene into an innovation hub and a joint effort for both countries to spearhead the digital shift of this region. He was optimistic that with the kind of strong infrastructure in the UAE and the growing IT talent bank in Pakistan, they could spearhead a digital transformation of the whole region.
In conclusion, leaders reconfirmed their commitment to improving bilateral cooperation and creating new opportunities for growth within the context of a digital economy. Their focus on working towards developing technology-driven solutions will place Pakistan and the UAE front and center on the global stage, and this can even be a precursor to many future collaborations between nations.
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