Sardar Masood Khan stresses tech sector linkages with Irvine, California

WASHINGTON, Jan 19 (SABAH): “Punjab-California Sister Province Agreement provides a model to establish domain-specific state-to-province, city-to-city economic linkages between Pakistan and the United States,” said Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan, while talking to Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan, an American of Pakistani descent.

“The tech-startups of Pakistan, manned by enterprising youth, and a vibrant tech sector of Irvine, California, could forge strong partnerships for not only meeting the economic needs of the two sides but also to strengthen people-to-people exchanges,” he continued.

Ms. Farrah Khan during her call the Ambassador said that Irvine is rated as one of the top ranking cities of the United States for start-up businesses, strong economy and a growing job market.

Mayor Farrah Khan is serving her second tenure as the representative of one of the economic hubs of the United States.

The Ambassador, while congratulating on her successful political career, said that her leadership qualities and successes make Pakistan and Pakistani diaspora in the United States proud. He said that Pak-origin Americans, who have excelled in their respective areas, were not only an asset for Pakistan but an abiding link between Pakistan and the United States.

Referring to his recent visit to California and signing of Punjab-California sister state-province agreement, the Ambassador Masood Khan termed the development as historic which would bring Punjab, the largest populated province of Pakistan, and state of California, the largest state of the US, closer and would open up vistas for enhancing economic interaction between the two countries.

Ms. Farrah Khan thanked the Ambassador for warmly receiving her and highlighted tech, meditech and artificial intelligence as the major sectors where Irvine was witnessing significant progress.

Higher education and advanced learning in the latest technologies was another promising area for enhancing mutual collaboration, she said. 

Farrah Khan also highlighted the valuable contributions being made by Pakistani diaspora towards socio-economic development of Irvine and the state of California.

The Ambassador invited Mayor Farrah Khan to visit Pakistan along with a business delegation for promoting cooperation between chamber and industry and to strengthen people-to-people linkages.