This report explains how the rapid adoption of digital technology in Central and West Asia can help unlock growth and shows why economies need to invest in training to build the skilled labor force needed for the jobs of the future. Focusing on Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan, the report outlines how the pandemic sped up use of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technology and draws on policy reviews and employment data. It explores how fresh policies can help offset the challenges posed by 4IR and recommends ways to harness technology to increase growth, employment, and inclusive development.

Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies have brought about unprecedented changes to labor markets, and the coronavirus disease further hastened digital transformations. While the application of 4IR technologies spell opportunities for productivity growth and income gains, they also create challenges, including job losses. Investing in skills for 4IR and incorporating 4IR technologies in the delivery of training can smoothen the transition to 4IR workplaces. To provide insights on the opportunities of 4IR, studies were undertaken in three countries—Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan. This report, focusing on Pakistan, presents evidence from surveys of employers and training institutions, as well as an analysis of job portals for the agro-processing and transportation and storage sectors. It lays out policy directions and actions to harness the benefits of 4IR for growth, employment, and inclusive development.

This report shows how embracing digitalization can boost jobs in Pakistan's textile, garment, and information technology-business process outsourcing sectors and explains why policies should ensure the benefits are equitably distributed. Part of a wider Central and West Asia report on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), this report focuses on Pakistan's Punjab province where literacy levels are low and explains why workers will have to continuously reskill to get quality jobs. It recommends Pakistan adopt industry-specific 4IR roadmaps, strengthen training, and increase the number of women in technology as it targets inclusive, knowledge-based economic growth.

Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies have brought about unprecedented changes to labor markets, and the coronavirus disease further hastened digital transformations. While the application of 4IR technologies spell opportunities for productivity growth and income gains, they also create challenges, including job losses. Investing in skills for 4IR and incorporating 4IR technologies in the delivery of training can smoothen the transition to 4IR workplaces. To provide insights on the opportunities of 4IR, studies were undertaken in three countries—Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan. This report synthesizes findings and analysis from the three studies, drawn from (i) surveys of employers and training institutions, (ii) data collected from selected job portals in the three countries, and (iii) review of policies and strategies relating to 4IR. It lays out policy directions and actions to harness the benefits of 4IR for growth, employment, and inclusive development.

Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies have brought about unprecedented changes to labor markets, and the coronavirus disease further hastened digital transformations. While the application of 4IR technologies spell opportunities for productivity growth and income gains, they also create challenges, including job losses. Investing in skills for 4IR and incorporating 4IR technologies in the delivery of training can smoothen the transition to 4IR workplaces. To provide insights on the opportunities of 4IR, studies were undertaken in three countries—Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan. This report, focusing on Azerbaijan, presents evidence from surveys of employers and training institutions, as well as an analysis of job portals for the agro-processing and transportation and storage sectors. It lays out policy directions and actions to harness the benefits of 4IR for growth, employment, and inclusive development.

Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies have brought about unprecedented changes to labor markets, and the coronavirus disease further hastened digital transformations. While the application of 4IR technologies spell opportunities for productivity growth and income gains, they also create challenges, including job losses. Investing in skills for 4IR and incorporating 4IR technologies in the delivery of training can smoothen the transition to 4IR workplaces. To provide insights on the opportunities of 4IR, studies were undertaken in three countries—Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan. This report, focusing on Uzbekistan, presents evidence from surveys of employers and training institutions, as well as an analysis of job portals for the agro-processing and transportation and storage sectors. It lays out policy directions and actions to harness the benefits of 4IR for growth, employment, and inclusive development.

This report explains how Azerbaijan's fast-growing agro-processing, transportation, and storage industries can benefit from the adoption of digital technologies and outlines how to train the skilled workforce it needs for the new economy. Part of a wider Central and West Asia report on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), this report explains how greater digitalization will affect jobs and how Azerbaijan's government, industry, and the education sector can work together to spur growth. To help Azerbaijan capitalize on 4IR's benefits, the report offers recommendations that include helping businesses adopt technology, incentivizing them to train employees, and creating programs targeted at women.