Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja held an important meeting with Abdulrahman Al Sowaidi, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Development Bank (QDB), during her visit to Doha, where both sides engaged in detailed discussions on expanding cooperation in digital innovation, enterprise development and support for Pakistan’s growing technology ecosystem. The meeting marked another step toward strengthening Pakistan’s engagement with Gulf-based technology and investment institutions that have shown increasing interest in the country’s digital potential.
During the discussion, the Minister highlighted the rapid growth of Pakistan’s tech sector, especially in software exports, emerging startups and digital transformation initiatives across various industries. She underscored the government’s commitment to supporting young entrepreneurs, improving access to capital and building stronger international linkages that can enable Pakistani talent to scale globally. In response, the CEO of Qatar Development Bank reaffirmed Qatar’s interest in exploring new mechanisms for collaboration, particularly in areas where both countries can mutually benefit through technology-driven innovation.
A major portion of the meeting focused on designing financing pathways for promising Pakistani tech startups. QDB’s established incubation, acceleration and investment programmes were discussed as potential channels for enabling Pakistani founders to access mentorship, early-stage funding and market expansion support. Both sides explored how QDB’s international programmes could connect Pakistani startups with regional opportunities, helping them build a presence in the wider Middle East market.
The conversation also covered collaboration across advanced technology domains, including artificial intelligence, cloud services, cybersecurity and digital transformation. Officials reviewed how joint initiatives could accelerate technological capacity in Pakistan while creating opportunities for Qatari institutions to engage with skilled Pakistani professionals and developers. Ideas for research partnerships, cross-border innovation projects and shared infrastructure were also considered as part of a broader long-term vision for digital cooperation.
Capacity-building and knowledge exchange emerged as another key pillar of the meeting. Both parties discussed the possibility of startup exchange programmes, technical training opportunities and professional upskilling initiatives designed to equip Pakistani IT talent with exposure to global best practices. Strengthening human capital, particularly in high-demand areas such as cybersecurity and cloud engineering, was identified as a meaningful avenue for sustained collaboration.
The Minister and the QDB CEO expressed a shared commitment to advancing Pakistan–Qatar cooperation in technology, innovation and enterprise development. They agreed that enhanced linkages between institutions, combined with new opportunities for entrepreneurs, could create lasting impact for both economies. The meeting concluded with an understanding that teams from both countries would continue to build on the momentum and explore practical steps to activate the discussed initiatives in the coming months.
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