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| Number of local computer assembling companies decline |
KARACHI: The number of companies assembling computers locally declined to nine from over 19, following relaxation in the rules and regulations of imported technology, according to statistics gathered from various research reports.
With the growth of the used computer industry, local computer manufacturers witnessed significant decline in their businesses. Closure of Viper Technology operations will result in the unemployment of over 200 graduates, said Khushnood Aftab, Chief Executive Officer, Viper Technology, while talking to The News.
“The local computer manufacturers were providing solutions for more than a decade,” he said adding that being an LCM, the company ensures that the solutions provided by it are at par with any international standards.
The company not only provides one-time solutions, but offers full warranty and after-sales services and on the corporate arena is offering managed, outsourced services, as well as service level agreements, said Khushnood.
At this stage, Viper believes that there is urgency in promoting the local computer manufacturers as an industrial asset rather than just computer dealers. Import of second-hand computers is creating hurdles in promoting the local computer manufacturers, he said, adding that these manufacturers play a key role in bridging price gap between new imported computers and used computers, thus, providing the consumers with versatility and competitive rates, said Khushnood.
The lack of government’s support will demoralise the local computer industry, leading to closure of foreign investment in the sector, said Viper Technology chief executive officer.
Local computer manufacturers are a major contributor in the IT growth of a country, as they not only support the economy, but also promote information technology in that country, he said.
Being a Pakistan-based organisation; Viper Technology expects the government to support the local IT industry by monitoring the import of technology, he said, adding that the company is not in favour of ban, however, the government should put a one to two years time limit on the import of obsolete technology.
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· admin on April 20 2010 07:23:47 ·
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| PCA’s Office bearer to attend Entrepreneurship Summit, summoned by President Obama |
 ISLAMABAD
Mr. Qureshi, while commenting on this international recognition, said that its great honor for him and his country that out of these 120 delegates from Muslim world only six have been profiled on US state department website besides a special a blog on his name
Meanwhile Pakistan Computer industry has facilitated Mr. Ibrahim Qureshi on this remarkable achievement and expressed the hope that he would prove to be a best ambassador of Pakistan at this highly important international forum and would be able to project the potential of Pakistan as a best place to make investments.<
It’s worth mentioning here that the President of PCA Lahore has earlier secured the Prime Minister of Pakistan Gold Medal Award and the Business Man of the Year Trophy. While felicitating Mr. Ibrahim Qurshi, the representatives of the Computer industry in Pakistan said that this remarkable achievement is an acknowledgment of his outstanding services for the promotion of computer information technology sector
“I would try to avail the opportunity to portray the true potential of Pakistan and redress the misconceptions”, Mr. Qureshi said and reiterated that Pakistan offers very conducive environment for the investment in various sectors of the economy. He said that during his interaction with international delegates, he would present the real picture as well as the opportunities this wonderful land offers to the world.
Meanwhile, Munawar Iqbal, the president of PCA central, Yousaf Jamal, Senior Vice President Arshad Janjua, General Secretary, Abdullah Malik, the President of PCA Islamabad and other office bearers of the association have warmly greeted Mr. Ibrahim Qureshi on this significant achievement and said that it’s a result of dedication and hard work of Mr. Qureshi in this vital
sector of the economy.
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· admin on April 14 2010 11:44:47 ·
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| Import of used computers: KCCI urges government to reject proposed ban |
 KARACHI (April 07 2010): Proposed ban on import of used computers & I T equipment will hamper the socio-economic development with drastic decline in the literacy rate. This was stated by Abdul Majid, President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) during a meeting with Advisor to Prime Minister on Information Technology, Sardar Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa at Islamabad.
A delegation headed by President-KCCI called on Advisor to Prime Minister on I T for apprising the concerned Ministry and the government about the apprehensions regarding the proposed ban on the import of used computers.
Abdul Majid said, "We are of the high opinion that government should reject the proposed ban on import of used computers and I T equipment while considering it as baseless proposal, owing to the benefits of used/refurbished computers being extensively operated as mandatory and essential office automation tools from modern hospitals to small clinics, recognised universities to primary schools and institutions, large scale manufacturing concerns to SMEs and elsewhere in the public and private sector".
President, Karachi Electronics Dealers' Association (KEDA), Muhammad Idrees demanded to lower tariff on import of second-hand/used computers and allied accessories. The advisor assured the delegation that their suggestion will be considered and proposal will be sent to abolish the tax which will further lower the price and make it accessible expanding the network of users of computers.
Advisor to Prime Minister on Information Technology, Sardar Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa, responded while contradicting "Neither any direction came from the presidency and nor the ministry of Information Technology sent any recommendation to impose ban on the import of second-hand used computers in the country". However, he said that while heading the Ministry of I T would urge for the expansion of network of computer's user across the country.
Sardar Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa has said the government is fully sensitive to the requirements of Information Technology in the country and in order to make Pakistan a knowledge based society, a wide range of measures are being taken.
Sardar Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa said, "A host of proposals are being worked out to introduce 'Import Substitution Regime' with the help of foreign and local investors to start local manufacturing of computers and IT related equipment at affordable price," the advisor added. -PR |
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· admin on April 08 2010 01:06:13 ·
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| PCA welcomes new recommendations from Ministry of IT |
Islamabad: Pakistan Computer Association (PCA) has lauded the step of Ministry of Information Technology for submitting recommendation to the government to withdraw all type of taxes and duties on computer and computer related accessories. Abdullah Malik, the president of PCA Islamabad Chapter welcomed the announcement made by Advisor to Prime Minister on Information Technology, Sardar Latif Khosa and said that the said step would be vital for the development of the IT sector as well as the growth of overall economic development of the country.
While speaking at the occasion of PCA Islamabad meeting, Abdulalh Malik said that the assurance from Sardar Latif Khosa that there is no proposal under consideration at any governmental level to ban used computer is also highly commendable as it shows a realization on the part of the government that such measures would deprive common man from a personal computer and it would destroy this important sector as well.
He said that the IT and computer industry in Pakistan would provide the government with every possible support for the betterment of the sector as it has a huge potential to grow and become at par with other countries of the region if an enabling environment is being provided for its growth. He said the industry appreciate the gesture came from Federal Government that no step in regard with IT industry would be taken without a proper consultation and taking the stakeholders into confidence.
The president of PCA Islamabad expressed his hope that the present democratic regime would work with industry for the betterment of this vital sector and would introduce progressive policies while being in close coordination with the industry. |
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· admin on March 28 2010 16:01:10 ·
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| Ministry of IT has recommended tax exemption for Computer/accessories: Sardar Latif Khosa |
Islamabad: Adviser to Prime Minister for Information Technology Sardar Latif Khosa has announced that his ministry has sent recommendation to the Federal Government to withdraw all type of taxes and duties on computer and computer related accessories. He said that IT sector is vital for the growth of overall economic development of the country. Thus, the government would ensure every possible measure that ensures the growth of IT sector. He said that there is no proposal under consideration at any governmental level to ban used computer as such measures would deprive common man from a personal computer, especially our students. He expressed this while talking to a delegation of Pakistan Computer Association (PCA), led by led by Mr. Arshad Janjua Acting President PCA Central, Abdullah Malik President PCA Islamabad, Mr. Malik Kaleem Lahore, Tauseef Mirza, Faisalabad, and Mr. Nisar Ahmed from Rawalpindi met him at his office last day. Mr. Zia Imran, Manging Director Pakistan Software Export Board, Mr. Tariq Badshah Member IT and Mian Zulqarnain, Joint Secretary IT, were also present on the occasion.
Sardar Latif Khosa assured the delegation that the government wants to facilitate IT industry in Pakistan and would not take any step regarding industry without a proper consultation and taking the stakeholders into confidence. Earlier, Mr. Abdullah Malik, being the spokesman for PCA, raised the longstanding issue of GST on IT and said that it is the unanimous demand of PCA that all taxes and duties on IT should immediately be waived off.
Abdullah Malik said that due to ill conceived policies of last dictatorial regime, the IT has lagged behind in this region. Our neighboring countries i.e. China, India, Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore and Indonesia have made tremendous expansion in the field of IT in the last two decades. In order to fill this gap and for a rapid growth in the field of IT we need to give a tax holiday to IT for at least next ten years.
He elaborated that the total tax collection on IT is a peanut, in comparison to our total budget. He said that any ban on used computers would not be in the interest of IT industry. He also raised the issue of Printers ITP revised by FBR recently and demanded the development of IT Parks in the major cities.
The PCA delegation was comprised on Mr. Arshad Janjua Acting President PCA Central, Malik Kaleem, Mr. Jahangir Akhter, Mr. Rizwan Yousaf, Mr. Mumtaz Alam Mr. Ayyub Butt, Mr. Waseem and Rashid from PCA Lahore, Tahir Rasheed Hashmi and Mr. Bilal Yaqoob, PCA Faisalabad, Mr. Nisar Ahmed, Mr. Muhtesham Shami, Mr Zafar Mahmood, Rawalpindi. Mr. Abdullah Malik, Mr. Furqan Murtaza, Mr. Babar Mughal, Mr. Asad Haider, Mr. Shahid and Mr. Osama Asad PCA, Islamabad.
Sardar Latif Khosa assured the delegation that the present democratic regime would like to work with industry for the betterment of the industry as well as the country and would come up with progressive policies after having detailed deliberation with the representatives of the industry. |
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· admin on March 27 2010 13:09:50 ·
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