Saudi investment in Pakistan’s IT sector grows as firms are gearing up to make significant progression.
Saudi entrepreneurs, investors, and companies are gearing up to make substantial investments in Pakistan’s fast-expanding IT industry. This development was highlighted at the Pakistan Saudi Business Forum 2025, which took place in Riyadh alongside the LEAP 2025 technology conference.
Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Pakistan’s Minister of State for Information Technology & Telecom, underscored the forum’s significance in accelerating IT exports, fostering sectoral expansion, and generating new employment opportunities.
The event, co-hosted by the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) and the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), brought together over 425 distinguished guests, including government representatives, diplomats, and top executives.
LEAP 2025: Showcasing Pakistan’s Tech Expertise
Under the theme “Into New Worlds,” LEAP 2025 provided a platform for over 100 Pakistani IT firms to exhibit their expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), fintech, blockchain, and cybersecurity. This aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to establish the kingdom as a leading global tech hub.
P@SHA Chairman Sajjad Mustafa Syed highlighted Pakistan’s IT sector’s success, noting that the country recorded $348 million in exports in December 2024 alone. He attributed this achievement to the industry’s skilled workforce and innovation-driven companies.
“Despite various challenges, Pakistan’s private sector and IT industry have performed exceptionally well,” he remarked.
The forum also facilitated high-level discussions between Pakistani and Saudi officials to promote business-to-business (B2B) collaborations. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, H.E. Ahmed Farooq, lauded the event for highlighting Pakistan’s potential as a key player in global digital transformation.
“This platform presents a much-needed opportunity to showcase the collective efforts of the Pakistani government and private sector in positioning the country as a major global technology hub,” he stated.
P@SHA’s Senior Vice Chairman, Muhammad Umair Nizam, emphasized the resilience of Pakistani IT firms despite economic hurdles.
Expanding Digital Cooperation
As a founding member of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), Pakistan played a crucial role in fostering international partnerships at the forum. Initiatives like the Digital Foreign Direct Investment (DFDI) Forum and streamlined business registration processes are expected to attract increased Saudi investment into Pakistan’s IT sector.
With Saudi Arabia investing heavily in AI, smart cities, and cloud computing as part of Vision 2030, Pakistani tech firms are well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities. Continued collaboration between the two nations is anticipated to drive Pakistan’s digital economy forward, with IT exports projected to surpass $4 billion by the end of FY25.
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