Pakistani tech firms hopeful of $50 million business deals at LEAP 2025 in Riyadh

Pakistani tech companies participating in the four-day LEAP 2025 tech conference in Riyadh are hopeful of attracting business deals worth $50 million at the global tech event, according to the head of Pakistani software producers’ association.

The fourth edition of LEAP, recognized as Saudi Arabia’s award-winning global technology event, opened on Sunday and will continue till Feb. 12, for which entrepreneurs, investors and startups have converged in Riyadh to present their products to an anticipated audience of over 170,000 visitors. It follows last year’s record-breaking LEAP 2024, which saw $13.4 billion in investments and project commitments. Under the theme “Into New Worlds,” LEAP 2025 aims to expand business networking and investment opportunities in the tech sector.

Pakistan recorded the highest-ever monthly IT exports of $348 million in Dec. 2024, up by 15 percent year-on-year and 12 percent month-on-month, according to official data. The LEAP event offers Pakistani firms a platform to collaborate with stakeholders, explore business opportunities and showcase Pakistan’s diverse IT exports, including software development, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, fintech, gaming and robotics.

“This year, we have one of the largest delegations ever at LEAP, with over 100 companies and more than 1,000 delegates participating,” Sajjad Mustafa Syed, chairman of the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), told Arab News over the phone from Riyadh.

“With this strong presence at LEAP, we expect to double our business this year and generate $50 million in deals.”

Pakistani IT companies continue to maintain a strong presence in the Kingdom and this year some of the biggest names, including Systems Limited, Abacus and Excellence Delivered, are participating in the mega tech event, according to the P@SHA chairman.

In addition, several startups, around 20 companies sponsored by P@SHA, and a few more sponsored by the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) are attending the event, while some Pakistani firms have joined independently.