- Key strategies to overcome: Aligning education with industry needs; public-private partnerships; supporting startups; simplifying regulations and boosting exports
Interview with Umair Azam – Founder and CEO, Integration Xperts
PAGE: Please tell us a bit about yourselves and your journey in the IT industry.
Umair Azam: I am the Founder and CEO of Integration Xperts. With over 23 years of extensive and diverse experience in delivering and selling enterprise IT solutions, I have served in various leadership roles across the industry. These roles include Chief Operating Officer at Inbox Consulting, Country Manager for Avaya Networks (Pakistan & Afghanistan), and Senior Channel Sales Manager (SAGE West) at Oracle Corporation.
I established Integration Xperts in 2016 with a vision to become a leading cloud implementation and professional services provider. Our proven track record involves developing IT roadmaps for customers and executing their business transformation initiatives. Our goal is to assist clients in their digital transformation across products, services, business models, and reimagined processes, leading to new revenue opportunities, enhanced customer experiences, operational efficiency, reduced risk, and a better society.
Today, we stand as one of the prominent IT companies in Pakistan, contributing to the country’s foreign exchange earnings by partnering with global giants such as Oracle, SAP, Salesforce, AWS, and other key industry players. Our highly skilled and experienced professionals have successfully delivered projects not only in Pakistan but also in Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and the USA.
PAGE: Why is our IT sector lagging behind compared to other countries in the region?
Umair Azam: There are several factors contributing to this, including inconsistent policies, political volatility, rising inflation, high business costs, a talent drain, and a shortage of skilled IT professionals. For instance, while we produce around 25,000 IT graduates annually, only 10% find employment in the IT industry due to a lack of requisite skills. This underscores the urgency of aligning IT educational curricula with market demands.
In my view, the government should prioritise public-private partnerships to expand the IT talent pool and explore avenues for boosting exports. Establishing more startup incubators, innovation hubs, and technology parks can provide essential support, mentorship, and funding for startups. Simplifying regulations and streamlining business registration processes are critical steps to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in the IT sector.
PAGE: Though the government has shown interest in recent years, we have yet to meet our export targets. How can the new IT export strategy make a difference?
Umair Azam: Pakistan’s inaugural IT Export Strategy (ITeS) aims to generate $10-$18 billion in IT/ITeS export revenues by 2028. The creation of the Pakistan Startup Fund is expected to further increase IT exports by at least another $1 billion, moving closer to the ambitious $10 billion target.
To achieve our export goals, we need a clear policy and regular coordination with stakeholders such as IT companies, PSEB, and PASHA. The primary objective should be developing a pool of IT resources at least three to four times larger than the current one.
Integration Xperts has played a pivotal role in establishing Pakistan’s largest IT academy at the National Aerospace Science Technology Park (NASTP), collaborating with global technology enabler AshreiTech. This initiative aims to train approximately 25,000 individuals annually in association with major technology companies such as Oracle, SAP, Microsoft, AWS, and Salesforce.
PAGE: SBP has announced measures to boost IT exports, but what more could the government do? Are you satisfied with recent freelance and retention measures?
Umair Azam: SBP and the Ministry of IT and Telecom are implementing effective measures to help freelancers earn foreign exchange. I commend the government’s unwavering commitment to nurturing the growth of Pakistan’s IT sector. The government is moving in the right direction, and the Ministry is taking commendable steps for IT development.
To further support the sector, the government should invest in improving digital infrastructure, focusing on broadband connectivity to expand access to reliable and affordable internet services. Supporting digital literacy programmes and incentivising the adoption of digital technologies among businesses can enhance productivity. This can be achieved through public-private partnerships with leading IT companies and organising boot camps to train resources on the latest technologies. Developing a skilled female workforce is essential to diversifying the industry.
Additionally, the government should organise roadshows in potential markets in consultation with the private sector to enhance recognition for Pakistan and its IT sector. These measures can pave the way for economic growth, job creation, foreign exchange earnings, and overall development in Pakistan.
PAGE: In your observation, how much potential do IT exports have, and what are your recommendations for increasing exports?
Umair Azam: The IT sector currently contributes 1% to the GDP, with significant potential for growth in both GDP contribution and exports in the coming years.
The IT services sector globally plays a crucial role in the economy and is continuously expanding. Developed and developing nations are seeking IT companies from our region