Pakistan launches first Google Chromebook assembly line

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has “launched” its first Google Chromebook assembly line, which should help provide cheaper Google-based laptops for students and professionals in the local market.

In reality, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has only announced plans for a Google Chromebook assembly line, but is calling it a “launch.”

The announcement came from a ceremony in Islamabad on Tuesday, where Dar described the “launch” as a “momentous occasion” for the technology sector in Pakistan, saying the local assembly of Chromebooks would bring down the prices of digital devices and make them more accessible, particularly to students and the education sector.

Dar added that the move also reaps benefits beyond education, as it will contribute to new job creation, strengthen value chains, and lay the foundation for exports in technology.

Dar pointed out that the presence of Google will ensure closer collaborations with Pakistani startups and entrepreneurs, building capacity and securing better access to global platforms.

Google to Train 100,000 Developers

Under a new MoU, Pakistan and Google will also collaborate on training 100,000 developers across the country. Both sides will also advance AI-powered localized solutions, including Android-based services, for public safety.

The deputy prime minister made it very clear that the government was committed to a business-friendly environment for global tech companies, saying that Pakistan’s policy aims to make the country a regional hub for technology development. He further pointed out the government’s efforts toward rationalizing taxes to encourage more investment in the technology sector.