SHORT TERM STRATEGY
o Notification of ICT Task Force in Gilgit-Baltistan:
§
A two tiered ICT Taskforce in GB is
proposed as:
Tier I comprising of Chief Secretary
GB (Chairman) with Secretaries of Finance, P&DD, W&P, Education , IT
and Youth Affairs Department from government side, Commanding Officer SCO, VC KIU
& Baltistan Universities, Heads of NGOs,
one rep of IT companies working in GB as members
Tier II comprising of Secretary IT
(Chairman) with reps of Finance, P&DD, W&P, Education and Youth Affairs
Department from government side, rep of SCO, rep of KIU & Baltistan
Universities, rep of NGOs, 3 rep of IT companies working in GB as members
§
The Task force will oversee
development and implementation of different policies, strategies, initiatives and
projects to boost ICT Sector in GB
o Digital skill Development
trainings in different
technology domain Short term and medium term )
§
Education Department is required to
identify two categories of buildings; first buildings which can be permanently
transferred for establishment of training centres and co-working spaces for IT
Start-up companies and secondly those buildings which can be used for ICT
trainings in second shifts.
§
IT Department and Youth Affairs
Department will develop a financial proposal or PC-1 covering all expenditures
involved including training cost, provision of machinery and equipment minor
repair/ renovation, charges of internet and electricity, equipment for power
back up etc.
§
An estimated amount of Rs. 25.0
million is required on establishment of a Training centre (one time
establishment and running for three years). On this investment we can train a
total no of 1200 youth (minimum) in 3 years. Breakup of this expenditure is
attached. If we establish 10 such training centres in GB then an estimated
amount of Rs. 250 million (for three years ) will be required which will result
in training of 12000 youth in GB
§
Finance Department or P&DD will
provide requisite funds from regular budget or approve the PC-1 as the case may
be
§
List of trainings in different
technology domain are attached which can be amended time to time keeping in
view the job market demands.
§
There are 99 no of IT centres in
various schools and colleges of Education Department GB along with IT Teachers,
supporting staff and computers and equipment. List is attached. These centres
can be used for imparting digital skills for youth. An operational plan will be
developed by IT Department, Education Department.
§
An exercise can be conducted
thorough administrative secretaries to identify such government buildings to convert
into training centers and co-working space.
o Developing Free
working Spaces for IT Stat-ups in government buildings
§
Education Department is required to
identify two categories of building; first buildings which can be permanently
transferred for establishment of training centres and co-working spaces for IT Start-up
companies and secondly those buildings which can be used for co-working spaces
in second shift.
§
Funds for repair and renovations can
be provided by FD or P&DD
§
Pakistan Software Export Board can
also be requested for provision of funds for such conversions of existing
government buildings as Co-Working Spaces
§
For sustainability a fund can be
generated with the support of Government and Start-ups for running cost
including repair, maintenance and hiring supporting staff and charges of
internet, electricity and backup generators
§
Proper M&E System will be
developed to gauge the performance of these start-ups in terms of employment of
youth and job creation
§
W&P Department may provide
special lines or subsidised electricity to these working spaces
o Developing Co-Working
Spaces in rented buildings
§
Government may provide rent for
hiring buildings, cost of furniture and fixture and equipment and power back
§
As a pilot project IT Department GB
has got approved a development project wherein there is provision of Rs. 13.84
Million (3 years). The training program will be started from Gilgit.
§
For sustainability, a fund can be
generated with the support of Government and earning Start-ups for running cost
including repair, maintenance and hiring supporting staff and charges of
internet and electricity.
o Soft Loans for IT Start-up companies/ SMEs
§
Government of GB has allocated Rs.
100.00 million for extending soft loans for IT start-up. For this purpose KCBL has
been selected and case has been sent for approval of GB Cabinet which will
follow implementation of this initiative
o Internship programs for IT graduates in various software
houses
§
Government may finance an internship
program under which IT graduates can be attached with software companies for
six months which will provide them an opportunity to gain on hand experience
and after completion of the internship they may be able to start their own
career. This will enable youth to gain requisite experience to seek jobs on
their own.
o Allotment of Technical Education Building in Chilmis Das Gilgit to IT Department for utilizing Digital Skill Training Institute cum Co-working space for IT start-ups.
MEDIUM TERM STRATEGY
o
Identifying the digital skill
development goals for Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education. Review ICT in curriculum of education sector in Gilgit-Baltistan
o
Taking measures for institutional
framework for ICT- Establishment of GB Information
Technology Board which will help steer IT Sector in an expeditious way.
IT Department GB has submitted draft act for establishment of GB IT Board to
Law Department GB
o
Establishment of Venture Capital Funds in collaboration with banks/
financial institutions and NGOs for IT Start-up Companies
o E-Governance Projects which will improve the governance and public service delivery in government departments on one hand side and create employment opportunities on the other hand side. A mechanism to be developed to get these E-Governance projects through local IT companies which will contribute employment generation
LONG TERM STRATEGY
o
Establishment
of Software Technology Zones in Gilgit-Baltistan
§
Software Technology Zone Authority
has been established by Government of Pakistan under Act of Parliament. The
purpose of this initiative is to bring government, academia and private sector
together to develop an ICT ecosystem. As per provision of the law provincial
governments are required to allocate at least 40. Kanal (5 Acres) of lands for
establishment of Special Technology Zones (STZs). Once land is allotted by
provincial governments, STZA will notify these STZs and issue licences to Zone
Developers and Zone Enterprises. Provincial governments shall ensure provision
of electricity and high speed internet connectivity in these Zones. These zones
have been exempted from all kind of taxes
§
IT Department GB has taken up case
for allotment of at least 40 kanals (5 acres) of land preferably in the
vicinity of Karakuram International University (KIU) Gilgit and Baltistan
University Skardu. Chief Minister GB has directed to place this case on the
agenda of GB Cabinet meeting however response from SMBR GB is awaited regarding
identification of land. SMBR may be directed to identify the requisite land
o
Purpose built
Software Technology Parks
§
A Development Project with a cost of
Rs. 1400.350 million has been submitted to CDWP through P& D Department.
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