Over 100 Pakistani IT companies are making a significant impact at LEAP 2025, one of the world’s major tech trade fairs, currently being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. These firms, offering IT and IT-enabled services, are vigorously exploring new and emerging tech markets, particularly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

This year marks the highest-ever participation by Pakistan at LEAP in terms of both companies and visitors. More than 1,000 delegates from Pakistan, including businessmen, government officials, investors, exporters, and speakers, are attending the conference, showcasing their latest solutions and services.

The Pakistan Pavilion at LEAP 2025 was inaugurated by the State Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima. LEAP is an annual technology event that gathers industry leaders, innovators, and investors to shape the future of technology and digital transformation.

Muhammad Umair Nizam, Senior Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Software Houses Association for IT & ITES (P@SHA), stated that Pakistani IT companies are attracting numerous foreign firms from various sectors at LEAP 2025. Multiple business deals have already been signed between Pakistani companies and international entities during the trade fair.

Pakistani IT companies saw a 100 percent increase in IT exports during the last financial year and are on track to achieve another record this year, driven by new business deals at both public and private levels. Collaborative efforts by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the Ministry of IT, the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and P@SHA have created a favorable environment for IT companies to expand operations in the KSA market and across the GCC region.

The Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA) has established a help desk to assist Pakistani companies in registering their businesses in Saudi Arabia. This initiative has simplified the registration process, leading to the successful registration of over 100 Pakistani tech entities in the KSA market.

Pakistan became a member of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) in 2024, with its headquarters in Riyadh. Secretary General Demaah AlYahya also visited Pakistan last year during ITCN Asia 2024, held in Lahore, and met with different IT companies in Pakistan.

Saad Shah, CEO of Hexalyze and an exporter with operations in Saudi Arabia, highlighted the significance of LEAP conferences and exhibitions. He noted that LEAP is a major platform to connect with numerous multinational corporations, from both the private and public sectors, which are establishing operations in Saudi Arabia’s industrial zones and commercial sectors.

Saudi Arabia’s increasing focus on AI, fintech, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and smart city solutions presents a lucrative market for Pakistani IT firms, which have already established a strong reputation in software development, enterprise solutions, and digital services.

With Saudi Arabia poised to become a regional technology powerhouse, LEAP 2025 serves as a gateway for Pakistani enterprises to expand their footprint across the Middle East and beyond. Pakistan’s IT exports recorded a significant increase, reaching $1.53 billion in the first half of the 2024-25 financial year, with projections indicating that this figure could surpass $4 billion by the end of FY25. Its exports to the KSA surged to $50 million last year.
Image by WAYA Media