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World Bank Identifies Major Opportunities to Boost Pakistan’s Digital Exports
World Bank says Pakistan can boost exports by investing in digital infrastructure and skills — identifies $5B digital services sector as underutilized.
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by Muhammad Hashir
2025-10-29
World Bank Identifies Major Opportunities to Boost Pakistan’s Digital Exports

The World Bank has highlighted significant opportunities for Pakistan to expand its export base through the digital services sector, noting that the country’s current potential remains largely untapped.

According to the Bank’s latest report, Pakistan ranks second in South Asia after India in terms of digital services exports, with an estimated worth of $4.94 billion. However, the report also pointed out that low broadband speeds, high internet costs, limited fiber-optic coverage, and a complex regulatory approval system are major obstacles preventing the sector’s growth.

The World Bank emphasized that improving digital infrastructure and data governance could play a crucial role in enhancing export performance. Currently, Pakistan’s digital services account for only 10 percent of its total exports, while the country’s share in global digital services exports stands at a mere 0.1 percent.

In comparison, India’s share in global IT exports is 5.8 percent, while Indonesia’s is 0.2 percent. The global value of digital services exports has now reached $3.8 trillion, underscoring the scale of opportunity available for developing economies like Pakistan.

The report stated that Pakistan’s IT exports are worth $2.9 billion, and its digital services exports total around $5 billion, suggesting room for exponential growth through policy reform and targeted investment.

The Bank further noted that investment in digital skills development could help Pakistan transition towards high-value services, strengthening its position in the global digital economy. However, the report cautioned that the country’s weak digital regulatory framework, content restrictions, and lack of coordination between institutions continue to hinder progress.

It concluded that comprehensive reforms in digital infrastructure, skills training, and regulatory frameworks are essential for Pakistan to fully capitalize on the global digital services boom and significantly increase its export earnings.
Tagged:

WorldBank

DigitalPakistan

ITExports

TechEconomy
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