Pakistani IT Firms Team Up to Grow in Saudi Tech Market!

Pakistan’s IT sector is gearing up for a major push into Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding technology market. Through collaborative efforts, Pakistani IT firms are planning to form consortiums that will enable them to take on larger, more complex projects, both from the government and private sector. This strategy aims to ensure they can deliver high-quality services while maximizing revenue, making the most of Saudi Arabia’s increasing demand for IT and IT-enabled services.

The decision to form these consortiums came after a recent meeting of various IT companies in Pakistan. The meeting, led by Muhammad Zohaib Khan, who serves as Convenor for the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Information Technology, highlighted the need for a united front in accessing the Saudi market. This comes ahead of LEAP 2025, one of the largest tech trade fairs in the region, where Pakistani companies are looking to showcase their capabilities and establish themselves further in the Saudi market.

Over the last few years, Pakistan has significantly boosted its export presence in the Middle East, especially in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. Zohaib Khan shared his optimism about the future, mentioning that Pakistani IT companies are prepared to secure large contracts in Saudi Arabia, which is becoming a key player in the region’s technology-driven future.

In the past two years, around 100 Pakistani IT companies have opened offices in Saudi Arabia, some independently and others through joint ventures. This move has led to a remarkable increase in exports, with total IT exports from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia doubling to $100 million during the 2023-24 financial year. This surge indicates the growing trust and demand for Pakistani IT services in the Kingdom.

Muhammad Umair Nizam, Senior Vice Chairman of the Pakistan IT Association (P@SHA), highlighted that Pakistani companies are looking to make a big impact in Saudi Arabia’s market in the coming years. They are aiming to expand their share in the growing sector by strengthening relationships with local businesses and increasing their footprint in the region.

As part of this expansion, a summit organized by the Saudi Pakistan Business Forum will be held. The summit will bring together Pakistani IT firms and Saudi investors, offering guidance and support to help companies grow their export business in Saudi Arabia. This event is set to play a major role in shaping the future of Pakistani IT exports.

LEAP 2025, the upcoming technology event, is expected to draw even more Pakistani companies this year than in previous editions. In the past, over 80 companies attended the event, and this number is expected to rise due to growing government support and the increasing interest from IT companies in tapping into the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market. The event is anticipated to facilitate numerous business deals and partnerships that will contribute to the growth of Pakistan’s IT export sector.

In addition, Saad Shah, an exporter with operations in Saudi Arabia, shared his experience in the market. He emphasized the massive growth in Saudi Arabia’s industrial and commercial sectors, which is creating an abundance of opportunities for IT companies from Pakistan. These opportunities include providing solutions in enterprise automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and other cutting-edge technologies.

The growth of the IT sector in Saudi Arabia is part of the country’s broader vision to diversify its economy and reduce its reliance on oil. As part of Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom is investing heavily in technology and innovation, making it an attractive destination for tech companies from around the world, including Pakistan.