Gujranwala: President Asif Ali Zardari has lauded the inauguration of the first Kazakhstan-Pakistan Artificial Intelligence Centre in Gujranwala, marking a significant step in bilateral cooperation between the two nations. During a meeting with Kazakhstan’s Ambassador, Yerzhan Kistafin, in Islamabad, the President highlighted the importance of translating political goodwill into tangible trade and investment opportunities.

According to Radio Pakistan, President Zardari expressed gratitude for Kazakhstan’s contribution of a one million dollar grant to the Pakistan Education Endowment Fund. He emphasized the importance of implementing agreements and memorandums of understanding signed during recent diplomatic engagements, aiming to achieve a target of one billion dollars in bilateral trade within the next two years.

The President identified several sectors with potential for collaboration, including agriculture, energy, mining, information technology, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and defense production. He also underscored the necessity of enhancing connectivity through road, rail, air, and maritime links. President Zardari acknowledged Ambassador Kistafin’s significant contributions to strengthening bilateral relations during his tenure in Pakistan.

Ambassador Kistafin informed President Zardari about ongoing efforts to establish railway connectivity between the two countries and the operational status of six sectoral working groups focusing on trade, transport, energy, agriculture, IT, and education. He also noted Kazakhstan’s establishment of campuses for international universities, offering cost-effective educational opportunities to students from various countries, including Pakistan.

Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a potential market for Pakistani fruits such as mangoes, guava, and other tropical varieties. The President conveyed his warm regards to Kazakhstan’s President Tokayev and extended his best wishes to Ambassador Kistafin for his future endeavors.