ISLAMABAD: Tech giant Google has announced to produce 500,000 Chromebooks in Pakistan by 2026, marking the occasion by presenting the first device to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at a ceremony held on Thursday.

During an event named Agay Barho: A Google for Pakistan Event, President of Google Asia Pacific (APAC) Scott Beaumont presented locally manufactured Chromebook to the prime minister.

Addressing the ceremony, PM Shehbaz appreciated the contribution of Google on global level and in Pakistan as well.

He believed that the young generation of the country was much capable in the field of Information Technology that could play key role in economic development of Pakistan.

The premier said the federal and the provincial governments should utilise all possible resources to ensure their education and empowerment.

He informed that the government had set a target of IT export worth $25 billion in next five years that was quite achievable.

He further asked the IT experts and entrepreneurs to present a plan to help government achieving the target besides promoting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and freelancers.

The prime minister also resolved to make the country’s governance system totally paperless and digitised to get rid of massive corruption in the best interest of people of Pakistan.

During the event, Access Partnership unveiled a new report titled "Agay Barho: Empowering Pakistan’s Digital Economy," which shows that despite facing economic challenges, Pakistan's information technology (IT) industry was emerging as the engine of economic recovery and growth.

“Pakistan's IT services exports have grown by 2.7 times since 2014, reaching 35% of all service-sector exports in 2023,” it stated.

The report stated that digital technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), is playing a significant role in accelerating exports, by enabling the creation of new opportunities and access to overseas markets.

“Pakistan has vast potential to increase the share of its digital exports, specifically by developing new exportable digital solutions, reducing the cost of accessing overseas markets, and driving more efficiency in the export process,” it stated, adding that mobile apps, online video services, and cross-border e-commerce can add Rs1.8 trillion to Pakistan’s annual export value by 2030.

The event was also attended by Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal and other government officials.

Speaking on the occasion, Shaza Fatima commended Google for its role in driving the country's digital economy forward. "The potential of digital exports to transform our economy is immense," she said.

"By working together, the public and private sectors can ensure Pakistan reaches its full potential in the digital age," the minister said, noting that Google has provided over 960,000 jobs to Pakistani youths in 2023 alone.

“The success of these Google initiatives in Pakistan is a testament to both; the country’s potential in the digital world and Google’s commitment to upskilling and uplifting the youth of our country.”

Meanwhile Farhan S Qureshi, Google Pakistan’s country director, said: "As the Access Partnership report highlights, Pakistan's young and dynamic workforce is poised to drive remarkable growth.

“We are proud that in 2023 alone, Google's AI-powered tools contributed a staggering Rs3.9 trillion to the Pakistani economy. In addition, our recent partnership with Tech Valley, Allied and NRTC to produce 500,000 Chromebooks locally, with the prime minister's support."

In order to harness Pakistan’s digital export potential, the report highlights a strong need for investing in digital skills training and education for the workforce to ensure competitiveness and readiness to participate in the digital economy.

Narrowing the digital skills gap through digital skills training and greater adoption of education technologies can add Rs2.8 trillion to Pakistan’s GDP in 2030, the report added.

Google delegation meets PM Shehbaz

Separately, a 4-member delegation of Google led by Scott Beaumont also called on PM Shehbaz Sharif.

Welcoming the delegation, the premier said Pakistan stands on the threshold of a transformative leap in its digital economy.

Sharing the Government’s plans to achieve the target of $25 billion exports in the next five years, he said funds were allocated for training of youth, improvement of IT infrastructure, and improvement of the regulatory environment.

“Efforts are underway to completely digitize Pakistan’s economy”, he said, emphasising collaboration with a tech giant like Google in these endeavours.

PM Shehbaz also appreciated Google for undertaking initiatives that have significantly improved the lives of thousands of Pakistanis over the last few years.

Noting with satisfaction that google has enabled Pakistani youth to get close to 1 million jobs in 2023 alone, he underlined that it is reflective of Pakistan’s potential in the digital world and Google’s commitment to upskilling and uplifting the youth of Pakistan.

Appraising the prime minister of its plans of future engagement, Scott said Google has decided to further increase its investment footprint in Pakistan and support the government's initiatives of Youth's skills training.

In order to maximise the economic benefits of technology, the large youth population and expanding economy are important factors for a value-driven tech giant like Google, he added.