Enhancing Digital Economy
ENHANCED CAPACITY FOR INFRA PLANNING
SUB INTERVENTIONS
KP Startup Ecosystem
Partnering with ST&IT Department
KP Startup Ecosystem
OVERVIEW
The digitization of the economy is one way to accelerate economic growth in an emerging economy. Currently, Pakistan is one of the least digitally connected countries in the world and this is why the national and provincial policymakers, including the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA), are increasing access to high-quality internet connectivity and digital services.
PROGRESS
SEED Partnered with Invest2Innovate, a Pakistan-based company, to publish a report on KP’s Startup Ecosystem. It is the first assessment that applies the globally recognised frameworks – Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) – to map and assess the ecosystem for entrepreneurs in KP. The report was based on a heterogeneous expert focus group discussion (FGD) and 22 one-on-one interviews encompassing all stakeholder categories, to help provide a more holistic view of the startup ecosystem. The report was launched in July 2021 in partnership with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board (KPITB).
- In collaboration with National Incubation Center (NIC), SEED organised a Pitching League of promising startups to observe and select innovative startups for Technical Assistance.
- Two selected startups from the pitching league got (technical assistance) support of up to one million PKR.
Partnering with Science and Technology and Information and Technology (ST&IT) Department
OVERVIEW
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is undergoing a digital transformation, with rapidly expanding mobile and internet connections. This has the potential to significantly drive growth, expand job opportunities, and improve service delivery.
PROGRESS
The KP government’s digital strategy had a vision of “a systematic digital transformation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by leveraging Information and Communication Technologies for job creation, connectivity, empowerment and inclusive economic growth.” This is in line with SEED’s outcomes of job creation and inclusive job creation and therefore upon government’s request SEED is now assisting the Department of Science and Technology and Information and Technology (ST&IT) in achieving some of these outputs. Broadly, SEED interventions are focusing on Investment Mobilization and improvement of investment climate, especially the promotion of tech-skilled youth. Some of the key interventions so far undertaken are:
- Developing the KP IT Strategy (2022-2027) to help mobilise investment in the sector and formulate a roadmap for future potential investment areas for the IT sector.
- For investment mobilisation, providing transaction advisory to the department in structuring the required capital, i.e. $7-14 million for Haripur Digital Project through debt and hybrid financing.
- Providing support in building the capacity of the communication teams in ST&IT and KPITB to achieve valuable performance.
- SEED partnered with National Incubation Center (NIC) and organised an Investors’ Conference in Peshawar to work with selected startups and develop success stories to energise the ecosystem and help bring the needed investment in the sector.
KP BUSINESS VOICE