Government urged to utilise resources for promotion of IT

President Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Shahzad Ali Malik has urged the government to utilise maximum resources for the promotion of Information Technology in the country enabling it to join the club of technologically advanced nations.
While speaking at certificate distribution among successful candidates of Web Development Skill Course conducted by the Lahore Chamber on Friday, he said the USA and India are making huge money through software export. Innovation is a key to economic competitiveness, he said and urged the research institutions and researchers to come forward to address the gaps in the current scenario by developing world-class technologies.
Shahzad Ali Malik regretted that the low allocations for the vital sectors like science and technology had kept the country dependent on developed world despite the fact that country has no dearth of resources. Information technology has transformed the way of doing business, he said.
Manual business functions have been automated with the development of personal computers, business software and Intranets. While companies may develop internal business technology to increase the effectiveness of business functions, they may also use personal digital products to enhance operations. Developing different uses for information technology and various computer-related devices can help companies develop a competitive advantage, he maintained.
Shahzad Ali Malik said that Information technology allows companies to reach a larger group of consumers in the economic marketplace. Resources such social media networks, e-mail marketing, pop-up banner ads on Internet websites and other technology-based items can help companies to flourish. Companies may also be able to use these resources to reach a younger target market or demographic group. Younger consumers are often more attached to information technology products than older consumers, he said.
The LCCI President said that research was critical to take a strategic approach to planning or economic growth and improved productivity. He was of the view that leveraging information technology in business operations could create a significant competitive advantage and it is only through economic growth and improved productivity that we could create employment opportunity.