Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Dr. Umar Saif, announced on Wednesday that the government is set to launch a groundbreaking project on January 11. The initiative aims to establish 10,000 e-Rozgar Centres nationwide, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities tailored for freelancers and start-ups.
Dr. Umar Saif emphasized the historic significance of this endeavor, addressing the challenges faced by approximately 1.5 million freelancers who currently lack suitable workspaces. He stated, “Providing freelancers with the necessary tools and an enabling environment to thrive in the digital landscape is the need of the hour.”
Read More: https://economy.pk/pakistan-govt-announces-to-support-freelancers-with-interest-free-loans/
The minister highlighted that the establishment of collaborative e-Rozgar Centres would not only benefit freelancers but also contribute to increased investment in Pakistan, generating new employment opportunities.
Urging the youth to embrace entrepreneurship, Dr. Umar Saif highlighted the potential for individuals to earn more monthly through e-Rozgar. Additionally, he revealed that another project, starting on January 7, will introduce a standardized test for IT graduates through the Higher Education Commission. This test aims to assess their skills and offer successful candidates internships in the IT industry.
The minister emphasized the importance of this initiative, as currently, out of the 75,000 IT graduates produced annually by Pakistani universities, only 3,000 are deemed eligible for employment in IT companies.
Expressing optimism, Dr. Umar Saif stated that with the recent allowance by the State Bank of Pakistan for IT companies to retain 50% of their receipts in dollar accounts, IT exports are expected to soar to $4 billion.
He underlined the government’s commitment to empowering the youth with information technology skills, stating, “The IT and telecom ministry is actively working on projects to create employment opportunities for youngsters and propel Pakistan forward in the field of education by providing IT skills and empowering skilled manpower.
