Pakistan intends to create free zone for IT sector in Azerbaijan

Pakistan proposes a small free zone set up particularly for the IT industry that can also be created within another already established free zones in Azerbaijan like Alat Free Economic Zone, Khurram Bhatti, President of the Azerbaijan-Pakistan Chamber of Economic Cooperation told Report.

"Target is that this free zone would develop software, computer, and mobile phone applications, ERP, and other software implementation capabilities outsourcing IT and Media Management services. This free zone would not only serve the local requirements of Azerbaijan but will plan to export the IT products and services. IT houses of both brotherly countries will be invited to register with this free zone and bring synergies. We intend that large IT houses of Pakistan provide training to the youth and other IT sector companies of Azerbaijan to build this industry locally. Another idea is to create a small university within that IT-free zone, particularly focusing on IT education, and we can request some Pakistani experts to provide education and training. This concept will create more jobs and local expertise to cope up the future technological needs," he said.

According to Bhatti, PAKAZCHAM, with the cooperation of the Embassy of Pakistan in Azerbaijan, plans to hold an IT conference in Baku in 2022:

"Our plan is to bring some large and medium-sized IT houses to Azerbaijan to showcase their capabilities. Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan will be invited to this event, and we will request the Ministry to support this event. Youth of Azerbaijan interested in the IT sector will be invited to this event along with young entrepreneurs in this sector. Large and medium IT houses of Azerbaijan will also be invited to explore possible synergies. We also intend to invite various business users of IT services and products to arrange B2B meetings."

"One of the areas of potential cooperation between Azerbaijan and Pakistan is IT (Information Technologies). As per the wish of Presidents of both countries and to strengthen the economic ties, collaboration in the IT industry could fetch good results. During our meetings with various Ministries in Azerbaijan, cooperation in the IT industry was considered a very useful step going forward. Pakistan had over USD 2 billion of IT exports during the year 2021 and is expecting around 30% year on year increase in export of IT services and products in 2022," he added.