The “biggest ever” delegation of Pakistani companies participated in the LEAP tech convention held in Saudi Arabia, according to the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) and the Pakistan Embassy in Riyadh.
As per the Embassy, 18 of the nation’s top IT and telecom companies, along with 10 startups specializing in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, cryptography, robotics, open source, 3D printing, fintech, unmanned systems, 5G and data services participated in the LEAP 2023, held in Riyadh from February 6 to 9.
LEAP 2023 is a global tech event that was organized with an aim to bring together the leading tech companies, startups, and experts from across the globe “to discover new ideas, build new partnerships, and connect with inspiring mentors and investors and tap into the limitless potential of tech to build a positive future,” said the statement issued by the Pakistan Embassy in Riyadh, earlier this week.
“Discover the best of Pakistani tech at #LEAP23. Don’t miss out on Pakistan’s biggest-ever delegation to attend one of the landmark #tech events of the year,” P@SHA Chairman Zohaib Khan said in a recent tweet.
The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) collaborated with the participants of the global event.
The Pakistan Trade Mission in Riyadh facilitated the Pakistani tech visitors while Minister for Trade and Investment Azhar Ali Dahar organized a series of business engagements and business-to-business sessions for the Pakistani delegates with the Riyadh Chambers and Saudi Federation of Chambers as well as major Saudi IT firms
Overwhelming response from the Saudi market
Chief executive officer of Inbox Business Technologies, Mohsin Ali, told the media from Riyadh that Pakistani companies got an excellent and overwhelming response from the Saudi market at LEAP.
“And we also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Tuesday about a strategic partnership between Inbox and Gissan Group of Saudi Arabia,” he added.
According to the MoU, Inbox Business Technologies will offer support to the Saudi company in the areas of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and robotics, Mr. Ali told while noting that they are in negotiations for three additional IT projects, which are expected to come to fruition after a few more meetings.
Pakistan’s tech industry
Pakistan’s IT industry saw a boom in 2022, growing by 77%, while IT exports rose 15% during the fiscal years 2019-22. The country made IT exports worth $2.6 billion in FY2022 alone.