Government should develop an effective mechanism to provide support in upgrading technology and skills of key and strategic sectors and connect Pakistan to the global value chain for the economic development of the country.

This was said by Mr.Zahid Maqbool, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) in a statement. He stressed the need for upgrading technology on modern scientific lines to especially  make the country’s industrial sector competitive in the international markets.
 
He said that Pakistan through technology up gradation can boost its export by producing various products of international standard. However, the current level of country’s technological development shows that Pakistan has a very limited R&D base and subsequently a low level of innovation, which is holding back the country from enhancing the share of technology-based products in international market.
 
He emphasize that Pakistan should greatly focus on the engineering sector developments because it can fetch considerable amount of foreign exchange for Pakistan. Zahid Maqbool said that our country’s exports are mainly agriculture base and stressed on the paradigm shift to engineering products to earn considerable foreign exchange for their country.

Mr.Zahid Maqbool, President ICCI said the development of an innovative culture both at the national and firm level calls for putting in place a workable policy framework. He said technology up gradation, development of R&D and innovation capabilities in industries would enable Pakistan to become a producer of cutting-edge products in comparison to its competitors and improve exports.

Mr.Zahid Maqbool said that the majority of scientists working in R&D organizations are engaged in research on agricultural sciences and only about 13% of the total number of scientists involved in R&D is involved in industrial and engineering research.

He said this situation calls for shifting the emphasis of innovation and R&D to industry including engineering. This would also help Pakistan gradually move away from being a low-tech country towards medium and high-tech country and thus move up the ladder of technological progress.