The 21st Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) Award concluded on high notes highlighting the potential of Pakistan’s IT industry, talent, startup ecosystem, and scope of exports to new markets.
The five-day event ended up successfully after a series of activities including the presentation of products, judging sessions, business matchmaking, startup sessions, and cultural shows.
Overall, the winners have been conferred awards in 25 categories each including a winner and two merit awards.
On the occasion, Minister of IT and Telecommunications Syed Amin Ul Haque was excited to see the success of the event, he said, “Pakistan has been privileged to host APICTA Awards for the first time in history which has been possible due to the unwavering commitment of the ministry and untiring efforts of the local IT companies under the umbrella of Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA). We ensured that the start of the event happens from the Prime Minister’s house to give it the right mileage and coverage for a strong impact.”
He further elaborated on how hosting over 160 delegates was an ambitious task, and how all stakeholders including the ministry and its associated departments; Tech Destination Pakistan, Ignite, APICTA, and P@SHA, accomplished a tremendous job to record history in the country.
Chairman APICTA, Stan Singh said, “Most of the foreign delegates visited Pakistan for the first time and they have now become ambassadors of Pakistan for promoting its soft image in their economies.” He added that the spirit of APICTA is to promote collaboration, partnership, business activities, and knowledge exchange among economies, to ultimately uplift the standard of the IT industry in the region.
Out of 25 categories, Pakistan was declared the winner in seven categories, Hong Kong and Thailand each won six winner awards; Brunei was declared the winner in 2 categories; China, Australia, and Sri Lanka won, one winner award each. Besides the winner (Gold), two merit awards were given in each category.
For the finale’, Hong Kong announced it’s winning the bid to be the host for APICTA 2023. Advisory Judge APICTA 2022, Senior Advisor PricewaterhouseCoopers & Secretary General (Honorary) Hong Kong Computer Society, Stephen Lau took the stage to formally announce and introduce Hong Kong economy as the next host
APICTA – Asia Pacific ICT Alliance, is an association of ICT communities nominated by our member economies in the region, who come together in the spirit of collaboration, forming a cooperative network to promote technology innovation and encouraging the development of indigenous ICT solutions for the global market via an annual awards program.
APICTA’s 16 member-economies work together to assist in bridging the digital divide amongst our member countries which include Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Macao, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. The annual awards program is unique in that it brings together large and small business, entrepreneurs, public sector, start-ups, not for profit and students in a single program.
The awards, generally held around November/December each year, provides participants with valuable networking and mentoring opportunities with industry leaders and influencers. The program includes valuable business matching opportunities with access to venture capitalists and investors.
To read our blog on “Pakistan made history by securing 20 awards in APICTA 2022 awards,” click here.
