Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) inks a strategic agreement with Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) for the provision of Cloud Based Services. The agreement was signed by Adil Rashid, Chief Business Services Officer, PTCL and Shaukat Ali, CTO, PSEB. Dr. Daniel Ritz, President & CEO, PTCL, Syed Raza Shah, Member IT, Ministry of Information Technology (MoIT) and Syed Ali Abbas Hasani, Acting Managing Director, PSEB also graced the occasion. Amongst others, key officials present were Talib Hussain Baloch, Director Finance, PSEB, Muhammad Basharat Qureshi, EVP Digital Services, PTCL, Muhammad Suleman Awan, GM Digital Services PTCL North and Nabeel Amjad, GM Cloud and ICT Business, PTCL. PTCL will be offering Cloud based solutions to all the software companies and call centers registered with PSEB including companies working in the Software Technology Parks (STP). This initiative will help introduce Pakistan based cloud infrastructure to the IT & ITeS companies who can utilize this state-of-the-art infrastructure. Cloud Based services will give flexibility, resilience, security and scalability to these enterprises. Speaking on the occasion, Syed Raza Shah, Member IT, Ministry of IT, said, “The Government of Pakistan has a strong vision of enabling & promoting IT sector and increasing its export potential. The cloud based services, will not only enable IT companies and Tech start-ups to grow business and lower their TCO, but will also provide job opportunities to fresh graduates in the market.” Talking on the occasion, Syed Ali Abbas Hasani, MD (Acting), PSEB, said, “Cloud Services are essential in today’s competitive business environment to reduce the cost and overcome complexity of owning and operating computers and networks. This initiative will significantly subsidize PSEB registered IT and IT enabled Services companies and call centers, particularly SMEs who are unable to afford upgrading hardware and software every 2-3 years, and are struggling to meet their hosting and data storage requirements to remain technologically advanced and deliver quality solutions to their domestic and international customers.” Adil Rashid, Chief Business Services Officer, PTCL, speaking on the occasion said, “We are delighted to extend our partnership with Pakistan Software Export Board in the field of IT & Telecom. We are honored that PSEB has selected PTCL as a partner of choice for establishing cloud based services in Pakistan. This initiative for growth of cloud based services will help transform the IT Industry. We are committed to promote the growth of IT Industry through our expertise and diversified portfolio of digital products and services.” PTCL Cloud Services Solutions in partnership with PSEB will provide cost effective solutions equipped with latest ICT services for software companies in Pakistan. The establishment of cloud based services will open new doors for entrepreneurship and growth of IT/ software industry, enabling young and creative tech startups to grow their businesses and contribute to the country’s GDP. Published in Daily Times, July 11th 2018.