Google Unveils Plans to Address Skills Gaps and Promote Exports

Google reiterated its commitment to empowering Pakistan’s digital economy during an event titled “Move Forward: Google for Pakistan,” held in Islamabad on September 5, 2024. The event focused on the importance of bridging the digital skills gap, promoting digital exports, and securing the country’s economic future. Google’s ongoing initiatives, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), have already contributed significantly to Pakistan’s economy, benefiting both businesses and households.

A new report by Access Partnership, “Move Forward: Empowering Pakistan’s Digital Economy,” highlights that despite facing economic challenges, Pakistan’s IT industry continues to play a pivotal role in economic recovery and growth. The report revealed that Pakistan’s IT service exports have grown by 2.7 times since 2014, making up 35% of the service sector’s total exports in 2023. Digital technologies, particularly AI, have been instrumental in accelerating this growth, creating new opportunities and enabling access to international markets.

Speaking at the event, Minister of State for IT, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, praised Google’s efforts in advancing Pakistan’s digital landscape. She emphasized the potential of digital exports to transform the nation’s economy. “Digital exports have immense potential to transform our economy. By working together, the public and private sectors can ensure Pakistan reaches its full potential in the digital age,” she said.

Google Pakistan’s Country Director, Farhan S. Qureshi, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to driving digital growth in the country. “Today’s event reflects our commitment to empowering Pakistan’s vibrant digital economy and potential. Pakistan’s youthful and dynamic workforce is poised for remarkable growth, and we are committed to further boosting this momentum,” he said. Qureshi also emphasized the role of Google Career Certificates and Google Developer Programs in ensuring that individuals and businesses harness the full potential of AI, which could contribute PKR 2.8 trillion to Pakistan’s GDP by 2030.

In 2023 alone, Google’s AI-powered tools contributed PKR 3.9 trillion to Pakistan’s economy, with Google Search, Google Ads, Google AdSense, Google Play, Google Cloud, and YouTube playing a significant role in generating PKR 2.6 trillion worth of economic activity for businesses. Out of this, PKR 249 billion came from international markets. Additionally, these tools helped create 864,600 jobs in Pakistan, while the Android app economy contributed to another 100,400 jobs.

Google has also taken steps to equip Pakistan’s tech talent with essential digital skills. The company distributed 44,500 Google Career Certificate scholarships to women and students in 2023, and plans to provide an additional 45,000 scholarships in 2024 in collaboration with Tech Valley and the Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA).

Additionally, Google introduced the AI Essentials Skilling program, helping learners maximize AI potential within hours. In partnership with Tech Valley, Google also launched Career Kamyabi, a program aimed at reducing the employment gap for female Google Career Certificate graduates.

YouTube, another vital platform under Google’s umbrella, has empowered Pakistani content creators. Pakistan now boasts 600 YouTube creators with over one million subscribers and over 8,500 creators with more than 100,000 subscribers. In 2023, 55% of the viewership for Pakistan-based channels came from outside the country, indicating a growing global audience for Pakistani content.

The event concluded with Google’s reaffirmation of its Future Forward Pakistan mission, focusing on driving economic growth through digital and AI skills while empowering youth and communities with internet safety knowledge. Through these initiatives, Google aims to support Pakistan’s digital transformation and help the country reach its full potential in the digital age.

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