Draft Electronic Policy prepared

ISLAMABAD (APP) - EDB CEO Asad Elahi has emphasized the importance of electronic industry in
development of national industry and assured support of govt in its promotion.
He was addressing the meeting of Working Group on Electronic set up by the Board here on Saturday in which
the draft National Electronic Policy was presented. Dr. Franz Thum, a German expert, who assisted the Board in
its preparation gave detailed assessment of current situation of Pakistan Electronic Industry and suggested plan
for its progress. He made three options for the progress of the industry.
The meeting was chaired by Mian Muhammad Javed, Chairman of the Group and attended by representatives
of industry, Member Planning Commission and officers of relevant departments and ministries. The expert
emphasized need to develop a modern, competitive and viable electronic industry to meet both national
demands and become part of the global market.
The Mission of the Policy says that the electronics industry of Pakistan shall supply key products with own brands
in consumer electronic and industrial automation capturing major share of the home market which will provide
the base for entering exports.
It also provides rationale for the proposed Policy. Strategies for product development, acquiring technologies,
infrastructure, institution development, manufacturing capacity, human resources development and export
campaign formed the part of the Policy. Key products for development have also been firmed up. The Policy
focuses on renewable energies and says that Pakistan is located in the global Sun Belt with irradiation densities
of 2400 kwh/m2/1 and should go for solar power generation.
After incorporating the intakes of the stakeholders the Policy will be discussed with in line departments and
Ministries. Later it will be submitted to ECC for approval. It may be recalled that EDB has formed a working
group in the beginning of the current year for formulation of the Policy.
All sub-sectors of electronic industry were given representation in the group.