A new technological era is what Maryam Nawaz hopes to usher in for the Pakistan-China alliance.

Pakistan and China are looking to extend their long-time partnership to a new era of data, technology and creativity, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has stated, while urging Chinese businessmen to explore the potential in Punjab.

Addressing the International Big Data Expo in Beijing, she said that the Pakistan-China relationship was time-tested and founded on mutual respect and welcomed the Chinese investors to explore prospects in Punjab.

Provincial government is working to encourage digital transformation and to make Punjab a hub for modern technology and the digital economy, said Maryam Nawaz.

She added that the young of Punjab were being taught modern technical education and skills. Adding that the digital revolution was changing economies and had tremendous potential to create new employment opportunities.

She added artificial intelligence and big data would have a vital role to play in future development. The provincial government already employs AI in education, healthcare, agriculture and governance.

China’s rapid success in digital industry gave significant lessons to Pakistan, chief minister added. Pakistan would look to deepen collaboration with China in the fields of technology and digital, she added, noting the particularly amazing progress Guizhou has made in digital technology.

Earlier, CM Punjab visited Communist Party secretary in Beijing, He Zhongyou and discussed subjects of mutual interest and methods to deepen bilateral relations.

Punjab had huge investment prospects in technology, digital economy, artificial intelligence and agriculture, she said. “The province is undergoing big changes in the agricultural sector and still is a major food-producing area for the country,” she noted.

“The Chinese investors should take advantage of the opportunities in Punjab and contribute in the transformation of technology and agriculture in the province,” Maryam Nawaz said.