IT training of youth can be the starting point
PUNE: The current level of trade between India and Pakistan at $ 2 billion can quadruple if trade, investments and joint ventures are allowed to freely take place, says a joint declaration by the information technology committee formed as part of Aman ki Asha. "If this were to happen we foresee the possibility of generating business up to $ 5 billion in the IT sector," says the declaration made by the committee of representatives of mostly IT businesses.
Aman ki Asha, an initiative by The Times of India and Pakistan's Jang Group, was started last year.
The declaration was the culmination of an exchange of thoughts on ways to synergise strengths of India and Pakistan. The deliberations also focused on the participation of the younger generation of both nations. The two countries can work together to impart training to youth of Pakistan in different fields of industrial activity and enhance their skills to make them employable, it was felt. Private companies with educational institutions in India and Pakistan can facilitate such training, it was said.
Salim Ghauri, president of Pakistan’t NetSol Technologies, said Indian companies can help Pakistani IT companies with development of new tools necessary to handle the challenges of newer projects. "Pakistan’s IT players have established capabilities of their own but upgrading these capabilities by sending people abroad — especially to the US — is expensive," Ghauri said, adding that Indian IT players can share their expertise with their Pakistani counterparts.
Ghauri said world markets have confidence in Pakistani IT companies but they are limited by lack of trained manpower. "We should create mechanisms with Indian companies where we can outsource the business we win globally," he said.
President of Infotech, Pakistan, Naseer Akhtar, suggested that direct deals between Indian and Pakistani companies may not be possible at present but overseas arms of companies from either side can collaborate to deliver work jointly.
Uma Ganesh, founder and CEO of Pune-based skills training company Global Talent Track, proposed a pilot project for a group of students to train them in select skills. This has been tried out in China and there is no reason why it should not work in Pakistan, said Ganesh.
"We can jointly address markets in the Middle East. Pakistan’s strong product ecosystem, coupled with world class services and product companies in India, can translate into a fruitful partnership," said Jehan Ara, president, Pakistan Software Houses Association.
Aman ki Asha - The Times of India