ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistan and Google on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the digital transformation process in the country, promote digital skills and increase the use of artificial intelligence in key sectors.
The MoU was signed during a reception hosted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in honour of the Google top leadership delegation at the PM House, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a press release.
The MoU was signed by Zarar Hashim Khan, Secretary, Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, and David Wheeler, Head of Public Policy, South East Asia and South Asia, Google.
“The aim of this collaboration is to help Pakistan’s IT exports and overall digital economy reach $30 billion by 2030,” the statement added.
Under the MoU, Google will provide 150,000 Google Career Certificates to Pakistani youth by 2026. “Through these certificates, the youth will have the opportunity to acquire high-demand technical skills according to the needs of the market.
Google will also explore the possibility of further expanding the Google Career Certificates Program in Pakistan to create employment opportunities for youth in fast-growing sectors.
“Google will also explore the possibility of providing advanced AI tools to students across Pakistan, including one year of free access to Google AI Plus and Gemini Notebook,” it added.
The facility aims to support students in education and research, increase their competitiveness, and strengthen their role in IT exports, the PMO said.
What’s more in MoU?
The two sides also agreed to establish a dedicated AI Centre of Excellence in Islamabad, which will train Pakistani youth and human resources in line with the standards of the global technology market.
“As part of the Prime Minister’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) reform plan, Google will support the FBR in modernizing public services, making government affairs more efficient, and accelerating the FBR’s digital transformation through the use of AI.”
In addition, AI will also be used in the agriculture sector, which will help in monitoring crops, estimating yields, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Digital platforms will also help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) increase their access to global markets, the press release stated.
Under the MoU, Google and Pakistan will work together to support local app developers and gaming studios. The two sides will also explore ways to strengthen the digital payments ecosystem and promote digital trade.
Moreover, it said that a Joint Task Force will also be established, comprising representatives from the government, Google, and key industry players. This task force will identify obstacles and opportunities to increase IT exports.
“The task force will work on investment frameworks for hardware manufacturing and IT services, increasing access to global markets, and upskilling of human resources, among other issues,” it stated.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, Google Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Policy Wilson White, US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker, and other senior officials.
‘Important day for Pakistan’
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif termed the day an important milestone in the partnership between Pakistan and Google, adding that youth will be empowered through modern means, technology, and new skills.
He said that Pakistan is currently undergoing a major digital transformation in various sectors, including governance. Our young population can play an important role in changing the destiny of the country.
Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said that during the last two years, the government has worked hard to modernize Pakistan’s digital infrastructure, ease the process of doing business and increase the capacity of people skilled in the IT sector.
She added that today’s ceremony is a testament to the progress made on Pakistan’s digital transformation agenda under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Farhan Qureshi, Cluster Director for Google Pakistan, Philippines, and Thailand, said that Google is honored to further strengthen its partnership with Pakistan.
“This collaboration is an important step towards harnessing Pakistan’s digital capabilities and providing modern skills to the youth.” He said that Google is committed to supporting Pakistan in its journey towards the goal of a $30 billion digital economy.
