ISLAMABAD: Pakistani technology companies presented cutting-edge digital solutions while forging strategic enterprise partnerships with American businesses during the Pakistan–US Tech Connect 2026 summit held in Chicago, according to the Ministry of Information. The gathering attracted robust participation from the US Midwest business community, underscoring growing bilateral interest in cross-border tech collaboration.
The Pakistan–US Tech Connect 2026 series spanned key innovation hubs including Silicon Valley, Dallas, Washington D.C., and Chicago, uniting technology leaders, policy makers, and business executives to explore opportunities for deepening commercial ties and advancing cooperation within the digital economy.
In recent years, Pakistan has intensified efforts to position itself as a global IT services hub, actively courting foreign investment in its digital infrastructure and emphasizing its rising profile in tech exports and software development.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, inaugurated the Chicago leg of the conference, emphasizing the vast potential for enhanced technology collaboration between Pakistan and America. He highlighted how Pakistan’s emerging tech talent base offers compelling value to US enterprises seeking scalable, cost-effective digital solutions.
“Given Pakistan’s young and dynamic workforce, US technology firms stand to gain significant advantages by leveraging our low-cost yet highly skilled human capital,” the Pakistani information ministry quoted Ambassador Sheikh as saying during the event.
Panel discussions focused on enabling Pakistani tech firms to effectively establish and expand their footprint across U.S. markets, analyzing consumer preferences among American mid-sized businesses and outlining best practices for successful market entry strategies.
Pakistan’s technology exports hit an all-time high of $4.6 billion in the fiscal year ending June 2026, marking a 21 percent increase compared to the prior year, as announced by Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja in July. Islamabad continues to set ambitious benchmarks for sectoral growth while pursuing deeper digital partnerships globally.
The Chicago conference was jointly organized by the Pakistan Embassy, the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and OPEN Global, reflecting coordinated efforts to bridge the innovation ecosystems of both nations.
Firms such as Strategic Systems International, 10Pearls, Abacus, Systems Limited, Nextbridge, Addo AI, Excellence Delivered, Folio3, and TMC took the stage to demonstrate their technological capabilities tailored for North American markets.
Illinois State Representatives Justin Slaughter and Senator Laura Murphy contributed to the dialogue, along with Daniel Bellefleur, Vice President for Foreign Direct Investment at the Illinois Economic Development Corporation, who provided insights into regional economic development initiatives.
PSEB CEO Faisal Jeddy delivered a keynote addressing Pakistan’s evolving IT landscape, underscoring the nation’s deep pool of technical expertise, competitive operational costs, and expanding ability to deliver next-generation technology services.
Networking sessions facilitated direct interaction between American companies and the Pakistani delegation, allowing participants to align on business requirements, explore collaboration prospects, and lay groundwork for future engagements.
Additionally, a dedicated session titled “Beyond Outsourcing” examined evolving expectations of US enterprise buyers and investors regarding Pakistani tech ventures, focusing on long-term value creation and strategic alignment.