ISLAMABAD - Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecom Anusha Rahman said on Friday that the government was committed to providing technology and training to 50,000 artisans.
She said this while chairing the 57th board of directors meeting of Universal Service Fund Company (USFC), said a statement issued by Ministry of IT&T.
The board took into consideration the agenda pertaining to the provision of information and communication technology to micro, small and medium enterprises in Pakistan. The micro, small and medium enterprises in Pakistan can be termed the backbone of the economy because they constitute nearly 80 percent of the enterprises in Pakistan. Pakistan has a population of around 200 million and a workforce of about 65 million, with these enterprises. The board discussed that by providing access to the digital platform and bringing MSMEs online, the real potential can be reaped and has created an opportunity to propel Pakistan to a higher-income country.
Rehman said that “We want to take Pakistan digitally forward. We are committed to providing technology and training to 50,000 artisans and bringing them online on made in Pakistan portal, through USF.” The board also formed a sub-committee headed by Amir Ibrahim, CEO Jazz (member board of directors) with Mudassar Hussain member telecom and Yusuf Hussain CEO Ignite Co, to oversee the e-commerce project finalization being executed by the USF company.
Later, the Board of Directors of Ignite- National Technology Fund under the chair Rahman reviewed the progress on the award of National Incubation Centre Quetta.
On the recommendation of the Ignite company, the board resolved to approve the award of NIC Quetta contract to M/S Lums/BUITEMS.
The minister also reviewed the timeline for the inauguration of National Incubation Centre Karachi for which the contract between Ignite and LMKT will be signed on February 1 at PM Secretariat Islamabad.
