http://www.msc.com.my/today/default.asp?sec=A&id=591&link=fulltext
PSEB, Malaysian firm to build IT parks
By Imran Ayub
Pakistan Software Export Board has signed an accord with a Malaysian firm to build IT parks in†Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore in a move believed to attract foreign interest in the emerging industry of the country. Official sources said the deal was part of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz’s directives to the Ministry of IT and Telecom, calling for urgent steps to start the construction of IT parks in major cities.
“We have signed an MoU (memorandum of understanding) with MDeC (Multimedia Super Corridor Development Corporation), a government of Malaysia entity, which promotes the IT†industry,” said Yusuf Hussain, Managing Director PSEB, who returned from Malaysia last week.
“We intend to build IT parks on plots of land ranging from six to 13 acres in†Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore.”
He said the Malaysian visit was aimed at meeting with developers, who were interested in building IT parks in Pakistan on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis, besides facilitating cooperation in other areas†including venture capital funds and trade in IT services.
“There is immense scope†for collaboration with Malaysia on IT. We also visited Cyberjaya, a leading IT city of the†world, to learn from their experiences,” added the PSEB chief.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in August this year asked for steps to start the construction of long-awaited IT parks in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, indicating the IT-enabled office space was a critical requirement for the development of the industry.
The August meeting resulted in recent visit of the information technology ministry high-ups to Malaysia, one of the fastest growing IT industries across the world. The authorities believe planned cooperation may prove fruitful for both countries.
“To jointly explore, wherever feasible, cooperative projects that can be accomplished through employing ICT (information and communication technology) between MDeC and PSEB, or between third parties identified by MDeC and PSEB, in the areas of ICT industries and multimedia or other areas as may be agreed upon by the parties, including but not limited to:
(i) the development of IT parks ii) ICT in the logistics sector or e-logistics; and (iii) market entry facilitation for companies from both countries.” The accord between the two organisations also allowed exchange of information and sharing of ideas, wherever relevant, about strategies and best practices in nurturing the local IT industry and multimedia companies.
Full story at The News International: Latest News Breaking, World, Entertainment, Royal News .
Source :The News International (http://www.thenews.com.pk)
Posted : 21/12/2006