BRI Excellence Centre Opens in Gujranwala to Deepen Pakistan-China Cooperation
GIFT University, Diplomatic Insight Group and Gujranwala Business Alliance launch a platform linking trade, technology, education and culture.
Officials inaugurate the BRI Excellence Centre at GIFT University in Gujranwala
GUJRANWALA, August 27, 2026: A new BRI Excellence Centre has been inaugurated at GIFT University in Gujranwala as part of a joint initiative aimed at strengthening cooperation between Pakistan and China in trade, education, technology and industry.
Diplomatic Insight Group (DIG), GIFT University and the Gujranwala Business Alliance (GBA) jointly established the centre.
Chinese Consul General in Lahore Sun Yan attended the inauguration as chief guest. DIG Chairperson Dr Farhat Asif, GIFT University Chairman Muhammad Anwar Dar and GBA Founder and Chairman Ahmad Ikram Lone also attended the ceremony.
Connecting Academia, Industry and Diplomacy
The BRI Excellence Centre aims to translate the broader vision of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) into local economic and educational opportunities.
The centre will bring together universities, businesses and diplomatic institutions in Gujranwala. Its organisers believe this approach can create new channels for trade, investment, research and skills development.
The inauguration comes during the 75th anniversary year of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.
It also follows an agreement reached in January 2026 to advance CPEC 2.0, with greater emphasis on industry, agriculture and mining.
These sectors have strong relevance to Gujranwala, which remains one of Pakistan’s major manufacturing and export centres.
Six Areas Under One Roof
The BRI Excellence Centre will operate across six specialised areas.
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These include a BRI Trade and Investment Centre, Chinese Language and Cultural Centre, AI and Digital Innovation Centre, EV and Green Technology Centre, BRI Research and Policy Institute, and Entrepreneurship and Startup Centre.
Chinese Consul General Sun Yan welcomed the initiative and described its launch as timely.
He said the centre could bring Pakistan and China closer through greater academic and industrial exchanges.
Dr Farhat Asif said the centre would give Pakistani businesses opportunities to explore Chinese markets.
She also highlighted plans to help students learn Mandarin and develop a deeper understanding of contemporary China.
The centre will also connect startups with technology and investment opportunities. At the same time, it will help Chinese institutions identify credible business partners in Pakistan.
Gujranwala’s Export Potential
Gujranwala plays an important role in Pakistan’s manufacturing and export economy.
The city accounts for a significant share of the country’s manufactured exports. It produces around 40% of Pakistan’s surgical instrument exports and about 30% of its cutlery exports, according to the organisers.
Gujranwala also lies along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor route.
Despite its industrial importance, the city previously lacked a structured Chinese institutional presence dedicated to developing local links with China.
The new centre seeks to address that gap by connecting local businesses and students with Chinese markets, institutions and technology.
Focus on Entrepreneurship and Innovation
GIFT University Chairman Muhammad Anwar Dar praised DIG for helping turn the university’s vision into reality.
He said the university wants to give students more than a traditional education. It also aims to help young people develop businesses and become entrepreneurs.
GBA Chairman Ahmad Ikram Lone described the centre as a new chapter in Pakistan-China cooperation.
He said the initiative would create shared opportunities for businesses, students and communities in both countries.
Lone described the facility as a first-of-its-kind initiative in the region, built around four major areas: trade, technology, education and culture.
The launch of the BRI Excellence Centre is expected to provide Gujranwala’s business community and students with a new platform for engagement with China while supporting wider efforts to expand economic and educational cooperation between the two countries.
