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SpeechofthePrimeMinisterofIslamicRepublicofPakistanonITUConnectAsiaPacificSummit,Bangkok,
Thailand

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November18,2013

MainThemeAsiaPacific:SmartlyDigital[DigitalInclusiveGreenInnovativeTransformativeAffordableLiving]

MadamPrimeMinister,

SecretaryGeneraloftheITU,

Excellencies,

LadiesandGentlemen,

ItisanhonorformetoaddressthiseminentgatheringofleadersoftheAsiaPacificRegion,highleveldignitaries,andprofessionalsofTelecomIndustryto
sharemythoughtsonourfuturecooperationinthissector.

TheInternationalTelecommunicationsUnion(ITU)hasconvenedtheITUConnectAsiaPacificSummit2013inBangkok,withthehelpoftheGovernmentof
Thailand.Iwouldliketothank,inparticular,HerExcellency,Ms.YingluckShinawatraforthewarmhospitalityextendedtousandforherunwaveringsupporttothe
organizersofthisevent.Iexpressmydeepgratitudetoherforherinitiativeandpersonalindulgenceforthesuccessofthisevent.

MadamChairperson,

PakistanisproudofitslongstandingassociationwiththeITUandtheworkthatwehavecollectivelydonetopromotethemandateofthisspecializedorganizationof
theUnitedNations.Sinceitscreation,theITUhasplayedavitalroleinpromotingdialogueanddevelopingconsensusoncriticalissuesconcerningthedevelopment
oftelecommunicationsandinformationtechnologiesacrosstheglobe.

ThroughitsConnecttheWorldinitiative,theITUissharingbestpracticesandsuccessfuloutcomespertainingtothesectoracrossnationalboundaries.
Deliberationsatsuchforumsfacilitateformulationofeffectivestrategiesthatultimatelyresultinprovidingcriticallyimportantservicesandbenefitstopeopleacrossthe
world.

TheAsiaPacificRegionishometosomeofthelargestandmostprosperouseconomiesoftheworld.Thisregioncontributes40percentoftheworldsGDPgrowth
and this is set to grow further. A wellconnected ICT and telecommunications infrastructure is one of the major factors contributing to the development of these
economies.OurregionalsohasgloballeadersinthedevelopmentofEservicesandER09applications.Theregionisalsospearheadingtechnologystandardization
andequipmentmanufacturing.

MadamChairperson,

The Government of Pakistan is committed to accelerated digitization of the country to enable socioeconomic development, creating a knowledge based
economyandpromotingeconomicgrowth.MygovernmentaccordsthehighestprioritytodevelopmentofICTinfrastructureandapplicationsfortheprovisionofquality
services,education,employmentgeneration,andwomenempowerment.

Pakistan telecom infrastructure now comprises over 125 million mobile connections, about 3 million fixed lines, 3 million WLL subscribers, 19.8 million
internetusers,15.7millionmobileinternetusersand2.8millionbroadbandsubscribers.Thenationnowhasasophisticatedtelecomnetworkprovidingvoiceanddata
servicesacrossthelengthandbreadthofthecountry.Wehavecomefarbutwearefullycommittedtogoingfurther.


TheGovernmentofPakistanthroughUniversalServiceFundCompany,NationalICTR&DFundCompanyandVirtualUniversity,hasinitiatedarangeof
successfulprogramstopromoteICTopportunitiestoachievethesegoals.Someoftheseprogramsaremodelsandarebeingreplicatedbyothercountries.Infact,
improvedaccesstoinformationandknowledge,educationanddeliveryofpublicservicethroughstateoftheartICTfacilitieshasgreatlyhelpedinpromotinggrowth
andminimizingpovertyinPakistan.

With a population of 180 million, Pakistan is strategically located on the crossroads of South & Central Asia and the energyrich Middle East, providing a unique
platformforinvestorseyeingopportunitiesinthecountryandtheregionatlarge.Pakistanoffers100%equityownership,fullrepatriationofcapitalanddividendsand
incometaxexemptiononITexportsuntil2016.

The ready availability of skilled professionals, a comprehensive ICT infrastructure, coupled with affordable rates for connectivity and the Governments business
friendly investment policies, makes Pakistan an exceptional destination for foreign investors in the ICT sector. The Government of Pakistan encourages foreign
investmentintheupcomingspectrumauctionfornextgenerationmobileservices,establishmentofTechnologyParksandlocalmanufacturingofICTequipment.We
inviteforeigncompaniestobeourpartnersinharnessingtherichpotentialofourcountrythatisopenforbusinessandkeenonworkingwithinternationalinvestors.

MadamChairperson,

PakistanwillcontinuetosupportinitiativesthatwillhelpITUmemberstatesinthisregiontonarrowdowntheICTapplicationgapbetweencommunitiesandtoimprove
livingstandards.IwouldliketoinviteleadingbusinesshousestoinvestinPakistan,wherethegovernmentisfullycommittedtogiveprotectiontoinvestmentand
facilitatetheminestablishingabusinessinfrastructure.MycabinetcolleaguesandIareavailabletodiscusssuchbusinessopportunities.

IwouldliketoconcludebycongratulatingtheInternationalTelecommunicationsUnionforbuildinganetworkofcooperationamongregionalstates.Iwouldliketo
againthankthehostsandorganizersofConnectAsiaPacificSummitforsuchelaborateandseamlessarrangements.

ExcellencyMadamPrimeMinister,Iampersonallygratefultoyourgovernmentforsuchwarmhospitalitytomeandmembersofmydelegation.

IThankyouLadiesandGentlemen.

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