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International cooperation

Pakistan and Romania Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation in Science, Technology, and Innovation

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Khalid Hussain Magsi and Romanian Ambassador to Pakistan H.E. Dan Stoenescu have vowed to expand bilateral cooperation in science, technology, innovation, and education between Pakistan and Romania. During their meeting, Ambassador Stoenescu reaffirmed Romania's commitment to fostering strong collaboration with Pakistan, particularly in areas such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and regional technology inclusion. The Romanian Ambassador also offered Pakistan access to European Union-funded programs, including Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, and the Digital Europe Programme, which provide opportunities for Pakistani institutions to engage in collaborative initiatives in AI, cybersecurity, renewable energy, space technology, agriculture, and green innovation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Federal Minister Khalid Hussain Magsi was briefed on Pakistan's IT potential, with a focus on its steady progress in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and regional technology inclusion.
  • Romania has committed to fostering strong collaboration with Pakistan, particularly in areas of digital transformation, AI, and regional technology inclusion, citing Pakistan's steady progress in these fields.
  • Ambassador Stoenescu offered Pakistan access to European Union-funded programs, including Horizon Europe (€95.5 billion research and innovation program), Erasmus+ (education and academic exchange), and the Digital Europe Programme.
  • These platforms provide opportunities for Pakistani institutions to engage in collaborative initiatives in AI, cybersecurity, renewable energy, space technology, agriculture, and green innovation.
  • Romania's expertise in cybersecurity, fintech, AI, cloud computing, blockchain, and automotive software is seen as particularly valuable for Pakistan, with the country contributing over 6% to its GDP through IT and employing more than 200,000 skilled professionals.
  • Federal Minister Khalid Hussain Magsi commended Romania's leadership in producing globally recognized tech solutions and unicorn companies, expressing Pakistan's interest in learning from Romania's successful transition to a knowledge-based economy.
  • Areas for long-term collaboration include establishing joint ventures for software development targeting EU and Gulf markets, capacity building in cybersecurity, academic and tech exchanges between Romania's innovation hubs and Pakistan's National Incubation Centers, and joint research in AI, IoT, and blockchain under Horizon Europe and Digital Europe frameworks.

Statistics:

  • Romania contributes over 6% to its GDP through IT.
  • Romania employs more than 200,000 skilled professionals in the IT sector.
  • Ukraine-born IT company UiPath, founded by Robotic Process Automation (RPA) founder Marius Tirca, is a global leader in RPA, valued at over USD 10 billion.
  • Bitdefender, Elrond, and FintechOS are all valued at over USD 1 billion, showcasing Romania's thriving fintech and AI sectors.
  • Romania's cities, such as Cluj-Napoca, Timi?oara, Ia?i, Bra?ov, and Bucharest, have emerged as dynamic tech hubs supported by academic institutions and innovation parks.

Sources:

  • Government of Pakistan: Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Khalid Hussain Magsi, holds meeting with Romanian Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Dan Stoenescu.
  • Romania's Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism.
  • Romanian National Authority for Digitalization.

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