Gujranwala, August 27, 2026 – The Europe Today: Diplomatic Insight Group (DIG), in collaboration with GIFT University and the Gujranwala Business Alliance (GBA), has inaugurated the BRI Excellence Centre (BEC) at the university’s campus in Gujranwala.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by H.E. Sun Yan, Consul General of China in Lahore, as the chief guest. He was accompanied by Dr. Farhat Asif, Chairperson of Diplomatic Insight Group; Muhammad Anwar Dar, Chairman of GIFT University; and Ahmad Ikram Lone, Founder and Chairman of the Gujranwala Business Alliance.
The newly established centre aims to translate Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation from the national level into local economic and institutional engagement by bringing together academia, industry and diplomatic stakeholders in Gujranwala.
The inauguration takes place during the 75th anniversary year of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China and follows the agreement reached in January 2026 to advance an upgraded CPEC 2.0, with a focus on industry, agriculture and mining—sectors of particular importance to Gujranwala’s economy.
Speaking at the ceremony, Consul General Sun Yan described the BRI Excellence Centre as a timely and important initiative coinciding with the 75th anniversary of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations.
He said the centre would contribute to strengthening academic and industrial exchanges between the two countries and provide new avenues for closer cooperation.
Dr. Farhat Asif said the centre was intended to serve as a practical platform connecting Pakistani businesses with Chinese markets, students with Mandarin language and contemporary Chinese studies, and startups with technology and investment opportunities.
The centre will operate through six specialised domains: the 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.
Muhammad Anwar Dar acknowledged the efforts of Diplomatic Insight Group in helping materialize GIFT University’s vision of providing students with opportunities beyond formal education, including support for entrepreneurship and business development.
Gujranwala is one of Pakistan’s major manufacturing and export hubs, accounting for a significant share of the country’s manufactured exports. The city reportedly contributes around 40 percent of Pakistan’s surgical instrument exports and approximately 30 percent of its cutlery exports.
Located along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor route, Gujranwala has considerable industrial potential, while the establishment of the centre is expected to provide a structured platform for engagement with Chinese institutions and businesses.
Ahmad Ikram Lone said the inauguration marked the beginning of a new phase of cooperation and shared opportunities between Pakistan and China.
He described the facility as a “first-of-its-kind in the region,” with its activities centred on four key areas—trade, technology, education and culture.
The BRI Excellence Centre is expected to strengthen people-to-people ties and facilitate new partnerships among businesses, universities, technology companies, entrepreneurs and institutions in Pakistan and China.
