During the LEAP tech exhibition in Riyadh, Pakistani IT companies have made multiple important agreements with big companies in Saudi Arabia and other places. This event, which shows the latest technology and innovations, is happening from March 4 to March 7. More than 1,800 exhibitors and 600 startups from all over the world are participating.

The chairman of P@SHA, Muhammad Zohaib Khan, said this year’s conference is very important. Last year’s LEAP 2023 was successful, with Pakistani companies getting $9 billion in IT contracts. Pakistani companies got leads worth more than $100 million last year, and this year, 70 Pakistani companies, including 20 startups, are taking part, which is the most ever for Pakistan in this sector internationally.

The Pakistan Pavilion has 27 companies, and other Pakistani participants are getting attention from important global IT companies and government officials from the Gulf region. P@SHA has made its biggest agreement ever with the IT association of Bahrain to increase business engagements. Some important deals include Abacus Consulting’s agreement with Saudi digital solutions company Elm, and Inbox Technologies’ partnership with GISSAN of Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan’s envoy to Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Farooq, opened the Pakistan Pavilion, where SuperNova Solutions signed an equity partnership with Saudi investors. Farooq said there is a lot of potential for better cooperation between Pakistan and the Middle East in the IT sector, especially because of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to make its economy more diverse. Pakistani companies are showing solutions in artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity, and more.

This strong presence of Pakistani businesses at LEAP 2024 is important for expanding Pakistan’s IT influence in the Middle East, especially in Saudi Arabia. The event also had the Saudi-Pak Tech Forum to bring Pakistan and Saudi Arabia closer in the IT sector.

With Pakistan’s IT industry growing a lot and being among the top five export sectors, the LEAP exhibition is a good chance for Pakistani companies to show what they can do and find new opportunities in the region.