ISLAMABAD: Pakistani IT companies are exploring opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s cybersecurity market amid strengthened strategic and defence ties between the two countries.
Both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were ranked highly in the latest Global Cybersecurity Index. Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima met Eng. Majed bin Mohammed Al-Mazyed, Governor of Saudi Arabia’s National Cybersecurity Authority, to discuss cooperation in cybersecurity capacity building, best practices, and joint initiatives.
The Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia has established a help desk to assist Pakistani IT firms with registration in the Kingdom. Several Pakistani IT companies are establishing subsidiaries and regional offices in Saudi Arabia to engage in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and fintech projects.
Abdul Sammad, a cybersecurity expert, noted that Pakistani IT firms can collaborate with Saudi public and private sector entities, while Saad Khan, CEO of Hexalyze, said that mobility of staff between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is comparatively cost-effective, facilitating business expansion.
The World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2023 report estimates a global shortage of 3.5 million cybersecurity professionals, with critical gaps in electricity, banking, finance, and healthcare sectors. Pakistan produces approximately 75,000 IT graduates annually, has 20,000 registered IT companies, the world’s third-largest freelancing workforce, and the third-largest English-speaking population, according to the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA).
Experts suggested that Pakistani IT firms invest in training programs and cybersecurity education in collaboration with universities to meet growing demand in Pakistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
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