ISLAMABAD (MEDIA )
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications is in the process of shifting from small Software Technology Parks (STPs) to large Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Parks in order to bring and promote emerging technologies.
The ICT Parks will be developed with state-of-the-art infrastructure in an effort to introduce world-class technology in a multi-purpose environment, it says in a statement.
The parks will promote collaboration between the academia and industry to reduce the gap between the academia and information technology industry. It will help boost IT exports and provision of cloud-based ICT infrastructure and shared services and create a ‘springtime’ environment and a culture conducive to vibrant and dynamic innovation.
The ministry, in its list of new initiatives, said in addition to the IT companies enterprises from a wide spectrum of sectors would be encouraged to set up their units in the ICT parks.
This will help encourage establishment of research and development centres to facilitate in the areas of IT, telecom, pharmaceutical, medical devices, biotechnology and nano-technology and promotion of renewable energy.
It said the concept of ICT Parks had been approved by the Planning Commission and the ministry was in the process of preparing the PC-II in consultation with the World Bank office in Pakistan. The World Bank has expressed its desire to invest up to $45 million in the project.