Pakistan and Romania discuss collaborations for business opportunities in European Union and Gulf markets
Romania and Pakistan to Boost IT Collaboration
Pakistan and Romania are set to strengthen their cooperation in science, technology, and innovation, with a focus on the IT sector. This was discussed during a meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Khalid Hussain Magsi, and Romanian Ambassador Dan Stoenescu.
The proposed collaboration involves exploring joint ventures primarily in software development, targeting the European Union (EU) and Gulf markets. One such venture under consideration is a joint venture for software development aimed at the EU and Gulf markets.
Romania has proposed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Pakistan’s Ministry of Science and Technology and Romania’s National Authority for Digitalisation and Research. This MoU, if signed, would also establish a Romania-Pakistan Science and Technology Forum focused on the IT sector.
In addition, Romania has offered to facilitate Pakistan’s access to major EU-funded programs such as Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, and the Digital Europe Programme. These programs offer opportunities for Pakistani institutions to engage in collaborative projects in areas like artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, renewable energy, space technology, agriculture, and green innovation.
The countries are also looking to collaborate in capacity building, particularly in cybersecurity, and facilitating academic exchanges to foster knowledge transfer and skill development. This includes discussions on capacity building in cybersecurity, academic and tech exchanges between Romania's innovation hubs and Pakistan's National Incubation Centres.
Moreover, the two sides explored further areas for long-term collaboration, including collaboration in e-government solutions and digital public service transformation. They also proposed joint research in AI, IoT, and blockchain under Horizon Europe and Digital Europe frameworks.
Romania, highlighted as a fast-growing innovation hub in Europe, with over 6% of its GDP from IT, is eager to share its expertise in cybersecurity, fintech, AI, cloud computing, blockchain, and automotive software with Pakistan. Pakistan, on the other hand, expressed interest in learning from Romania’s success in transitioning toward a knowledge-based economy, aiming to leverage Romania’s experience and EU-connected innovation ecosystem for technology-driven growth.
Stoenescu stated that Romania is ready for practical, results-oriented cooperation, while Magsi commended Romania's leadership in producing globally recognised tech solutions and unicorn companies. Stoenescu also offered Pakistan access to key European Union-funded programs through Romania's facilitative role in the EU, including Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, and the Digital Europe Programme.
This partnership aims to leverage Romania’s established EU connections and tech expertise to boost Pakistan’s science, technology, innovation, and education sectors. The mutual benefits of this collaboration target mutually beneficial outcomes in advanced technologies and capacity enhancement.
- The proposed joint venture for software development between Pakistan and Romania, focusing on the EU and Gulf markets, aligns with Romania's interest in sharing its expertise in blockchain, fintech, AI, and other advanced technologies with the IT industry in Pakistan.
- The Romania-Pakistan Science and Technology Forum, as per the proposed Memorandum of Understanding, will focus on the IT sector and will aid in fostering knowledge transfer and skill development through academic and tech exchanges, particularly in cybersecurity.
- In their discussions on long-term collaboration, both countries expressed an interest in joint research in AI, IoT, and blockchain under Horizon Europe and Digital Europe frameworks, with the goal of enhancing capacities in the finance and technology sectors.
