Islamabad: Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reform Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar, while

appreciating Huawei’s continued engagement in Pakistan, said that the leading technological company can support in developing and upgrading IT sector of Pakistan.

The Minister was talking to Vice President of Huwaei Group, Mr. Mark Xueman, who along-with a delegation

called on him in Islamabad on Wednesday. Secretary Planning Zafar Hasan, PD CPEC Hassan Daud and senior officials of the ministry were also present.

Makhdum Khusro noted that Huawei has 25% share in mobile industry of Pakistan and is also the top taxing

paying Chinese company in the country. The Minister appreciated Huawei’s engagement with HEC for smart

schools project with the latest information and communications technology equipment.

The Minister underlined on exploring new business models for future projects and joint ventures in Pakistan.

He said that Huawei can contribute to the Government’s e-governance initiative as well in centralizing data to improve efficiency and productivity. The Minister opined that Huawei can support IT start-up projects in

Pakistan to benefit the youth in this important sector.

Vice President of Huawei said that Pakistan is a strategic market for Pakistan and said that the company will invest around $100 million in the country this year. He apprised that Huawei will also set up a regional

headquarters in Islamabad at a cost of $55 million that will create job opportunities for young engineers in

Pakistan. He further informed that Huawei will also invest $15 million more in its Technical support Centre in

Pakistan and it will also hire more work force for the same taking the number of its staff from 600 to 800 this

year. He stated that Huawei is eager to initiate more projects in Pakistan on grant funding from Chinese

government.

The Minister assured of the ministry’s all possible cooperation in future joint ventures.