Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif proposed a Business and Investment Conference focusing on technology transfer and local manufacturing during a meeting with He Zhongyou, Party Secretary of Guiyang, and a Chinese delegation at the International Big Data Expo in Guiyang. According to Chief Minister of Punjab, the meeting also included discussions on establishing a joint working group for digital cooperation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart agriculture, alongside potential cooperation in medical diagnostics through AI. The chief minister extended an invitation to the Guizhou delegation to visit Lahore, emphasizing the potential for further strengthening Pakistan-China relations.

Maryam Nawaz highlighted Punjab’s readiness for foreign investment and development, praising the digital advancements in Guizhou as a commendable model. She expressed a desire to learn from China’s successes in infrastructure development, digitalization, and poverty alleviation. The chief minister underscored the importance of transforming the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and China into tangible projects and opportunities, asserting that the partnership could evolve from a national to a provincial and people-to-people level.

During her remarks, Maryam Nawaz reiterated her admiration for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s leadership and vision, which she believes has fueled China’s remarkable transformation. She noted the shared characteristics and strong foundations for cooperation between Punjab and Guizhou, citing Punjab’s advancements in road infrastructure, electric mobility, and environmental protection as areas of progress. The chief minister emphasized the complementary strengths of both regions, highlighting Punjab’s young population and market potential, and expressed eagerness to explore further collaboration in AI and medical services.