The National Assembly Standing on Information Technology and Telecommunication has proposed a minimum levy on the software export companies.
The Committee met with Capt (R) Muhammad Safdar in the chair.
MNA Syed Ali Raza Abidi proposed to impose a minimum levy on the pattern collected from other export oriented sectors.
The proposal was supported by the committee chairman while saying there should be a minimum levy on the software exports companies.
Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication and MNA Farhana Qamar, however, opposed the proposal while saying that it would discourage the investors from investment in the IT sector.
A final decision will be taken by the government while drafting the budget for year 2017-18.
The sub-Committee of the Standing Committee on Information Technology & Telecommunication presented its report regarding “Performance of Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB)”.
The Sub-Committee examined the performance of the Pakistan Software Export Board and made the following recommendations: –
Recommendations
The Committee recommended that six posts of Directors in Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) to be reduced and replaced with only one director. If felt necessary, five posts of directors could be replaced with Managers; who could work under the supervision of a single Director.
The Committee directed the Authority of PSEB that criteria of qualification — as per rules & regulations of the organization — must be followed at the time of recruitment of the post of Director.
The Committee directed that the Authority of PSEB must finalize the running projects/dealing within given time to make the organization more profitable and professional.
The Committee directed that PSEB should maintain strong base to attract local/ foreign investors to increase the IT exports and — to develop public awareness in this field — should use social media along with foreign visits/exhibitions/seminars etc.
The Committee recommended that PSEB should use Commercial Counselor abroad to increase the links and contracts with the foreign IT companies for getting their investment in Pakistan.
The Committee directed PSEB to involve Pakistani youth i.e. I.T Graduates in the exploration of their talent through PSEB which would also increase the capacity building and standard of the organization.
The Committee acknowledged that under construction I.T Parks will not yield results without I.T software experts.
The main committee endorsed the recommendations.
Once I read “The Committee met with Capt (R) Muhammad Safdar in the chair.” didn’t read the full story.