Pakistan’s leading IT and telecom companies are celebrating a successful showing at the annual LEAP tech conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event provided a platform for Pakistani firms to secure potential partnerships and joint ventures with their Saudi counterparts.

Eighteen top IT and telecom companies alongside ten startups from Pakistan participated in the four-day event. This delegation benefitted from collaboration with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA).

The response from the Saudi market was positive and “overwhelming” for Pakistani companies. Mohsin Ali, CEO of Inbox Business Technologies, highlighted a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gissan Group, establishing collaboration in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and robotics. He further revealed ongoing negotiations for additional IT service projects.

P@SHA Chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan reported that their B2B event attracted numerous Saudi companies, resulting in four signed MoUs and several advanced discussions. He emphasized the potential for increased IT exports to the Gulf region through collaboration with the Saudi Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO).

Adil Mukhtar, Assistant Director at TDAP, described LEAP as a gateway to the expanding Saudi market. Many Pakistani companies are expected to finalize deals in the coming days, boosting IT and telecom service exports while bringing valuable foreign exchange back to Pakistan. This positive outcome builds on the success of last year’s LEAP conference, where a majority of Pakistani participants secured business opportunities and established liaisons in Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Hafiz Imran, head of Pakistani IT solutions company TeleNoc, attributed Pakistani success to Saudi trust in their expertise and competitive pricing. He highlighted the growing interest in joint ventures and collaborations at this year’s LEAP, indicating a promising future for Pakistani companies in the Saudi market.

Overall, the Pakistani delegation’s strong showing at LEAP signifies a significant step forward for the country’s IT and telecom sectors. This participation fosters partnerships and contributes to increased exports and economic growth.