ICT BUSINESSES OF PAKISTAN: AN IGNORED SME SUBSECTOR
Journal Title: Educational Research International - Year 2018, Vol 7, Issue 4
Abstract
Pakistan has been registering increasing growth rates in its Information Communication and Technology (ICT) sector, with IT exports crossing $2.5 billion mark and registered IT companies surpassing 2000 in number. The growth is mainly powered by service-sector small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of the country, which are subject to little or no regulatory requirements and a lucrative tax amnesty up to June 2019. The paper seeks to present, first, the heterogeneous nature of the sector, classifying and comparing enterprises working in it against the prevalent definitions of SMEs. Next, the size and of this SME subset is identified in terms of its consumers, producers, business units and business volumes with a particular focus on how these together stimulate the economy of the country through increased ICT-based consumption, employment and exports. The paper then analyses some of the challenges and limitations faced by small ICT firms of Pakistan and evaluates if appropriate measures and initiatives are reflected by ICT and SME stakeholders of Pakistan such as Pakistan Software Exports Board, Pakistan Telecommunications Authority, and SME Development Authority. The research is exploratory and descriptive in nature while literature is sought from secondary data. The findings of this research hint at major areas of concern and improvement in ICT-based SMEs of Pakistan. They offer great significance for owners, partners, workers and individuals of ICT SMEs as well as government authorities, policymakers and academicians aspiring to strengthen the SME sector.
Authors and Affiliations
Hasan Raza
Keywords
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