PakistanSeeks US Expertisein Agriculture, IT, Energy Sectors

Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States, Masood Khan, met with California's Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis in Los Angeles to discuss cooperation in various sectors, including agriculture modernization, hybrid seed development, and climate-smart crops. The meeting, part of Khan's three-day visit to Los Angeles, aimed to strengthen bilateral ties between Pakistan and California.

Why this matters: This cooperation has the potential to boost Pakistan's economy and improve the livelihoods of its citizens, while also strengthening the US-Pakistan relationship. As Pakistan seeks, us, expertise, technology, and agriculture modernization, this partnership could have a ripple effect on regional food security and trade.

During the meeting, Ambassador Khan sought US expertise and technology in agriculture modernization. "Pakistan and the United States have a longstanding cooperation in the agriculture sector. Universities from the two countries are intertwined," he noted. Khan also highlighted the potential for cooperation in the IT, energy, and education sectors.

Lt. Governor Kounalakis offered her full support in cementing bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and California in the agriculture sector. She recognized the United States' advanced technological and labor practices that could benefit Pakistan. Kounalakis also offered help in promoting cultural and people-to-people ties by placing Pakistani film content on Netflix.

Ambassador Khan's visit to Los Angeles included meetings with senior leadership, think-tank representatives, media leaders, and community leaders, especially from the Pakistani diaspora. He attended a luncheon hosted by the World Affairs Council of Orange County, where he spoke about Pakistan's role as an economic bridge between the US and China.

Khan emphasized the need for enhanced understanding and people-to-people exchanges between Pakistan and the US to remove misperceptions. He highlighted Pakistan's investment in education, with 64% of the population below the age of 30 and over 300 universities in the country. The ambassador also mentioned Pakistan's tech exports to the US, which reached $1.4 billion last year, and various initiatives for women's empowerment with US support.

During his visit, Ambassador Khan also visited Dorsey and Whitney LLP, where he received a briefing on the firm's international practice. He toured SpaceX Headquarters and the Starlink facility, lauding the company's spirit of innovation and technological advancement.

Ambassador Khan's meeting with Lt. Governor Kounalakis and his engagements in Los Angeles underscore Pakistan's commitment to strengthening ties with the United States and exploring opportunities for cooperation in key sectors such as agriculture, IT, energy, and education. "We connect with California in so many ways," Khan remarked, highlighting the growing bond between Pakistan and the US.

Key Takeaways

• Pakistan's Ambassador Masood Khan met with California's Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis to discuss cooperation in agriculture, IT, and education.
• The partnership aims to boost Pakistan's economy and improve livelihoods while strengthening US-Pakistan ties.
• Ambassador Khan sought US expertise and technology in agriculture modernization.
• Lt. Governor Kounalakis offered support for bilateral cooperation and promoting cultural ties.
• The meeting highlighted opportunities for cooperation in key sectors and people-to-people exchanges.