ISLAMABAD – Major Investment Commitment from Chengdu
A high-level Chinese delegation from Chengdu has committed to investing $700 million in IT and smart city development initiatives in Punjab, Pakistan. This major commitment was announced during a meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad on Friday.
The delegation was led by Ms. Scarlett, Chengdu’s General Coordinator for the ICT Hub, and Mr. Yu Ray, Deputy CEO of Huawei.
Key IT & Smart City Projects
| Project | Description |
|---|---|
| E-Taxi Service | Introduction of an eco-friendly e-taxi service in Punjab’s urban areas. |
| Cloud & Data Centers | Establishment of data hubs at Nawaz Sharif IT City, Lahore. |
| E-Commerce Platform | Launch of Pakistan’s first e-commerce platform for global online trading. |
| Smart City Solutions | Smart control rooms, traffic management, transport, and sanitation centers. |
| AI Industry Center (Phase Two) | Development of an advanced AI training center for youth in the region. |
Details of Smart City Solutions
| Smart City Component | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Smart Control Room | Centralized urban management for monitoring city-wide activities. |
| Smart Traffic Management | Real-time monitoring and traffic control to improve flow and reduce jams. |
| Smart Transport | Modern, tech-driven public transport solutions. |
| Smart Sanitation Center | High-tech waste management and sanitation systems for cleaner cities. |
Youth Empowerment through E-Commerce & AI Training
One of the significant aspects of Chengdu’s investment is the launch of Pakistan’s first e-commerce platform. This platform aims to empower youth by providing online trading training, enabling them to participate in global digital markets.
In addition, the second phase of the project will establish an AI Industry Center to train young professionals in artificial intelligence technologies, ensuring they are well-prepared for high-demand tech careers.
Chinese Government’s Support for Capacity Building
The Chinese government has expressed its commitment to supporting capacity-building initiatives in Punjab by providing technical expertise, resources, and services to enhance IT infrastructure and platform development.
Chief Minister’s Vision for Punjab
Speaking on the occasion, Maryam Nawaz Sharif highlighted her government’s resolve to position Punjab as the IT hub of the region. She emphasized that these projects would not only bolster the province’s digital infrastructure but also create thousands of job opportunities, accelerating Punjab’s economic growth.
