In a significant boost to bilateral cooperation, Pakistan and China have signed a five-party framework agreement aimed at enhancing vocational education and cross-border e-commerce training, particularly for young women in Pakistan.
The agreement, formalized on May 15, brings together Punjab Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA), Shandong College of Electronic Technology, Lancmall (SMC-Private) Limited, Government College of Technology for Women (Lytton Road, Lahore), and ITMC Technology Co. Ltd. The partnership marks a strategic step forward in Pakistan-China collaboration on technical education and digital workforce development.
Under the initiative, a new vocational institute titled “Ban-Mo Academy” will be established at GCT Women’s College, Lytton Road, Lahore. The academy will specialize in cross-border e-commerce training, offering short-term courses, digital skills programs, and master trainer certifications based on Chinese corporate standards and global market trends.
This joint effort is closely aligned with Pakistan’s “Digital Pakistan” vision, which emphasizes modern skills development and youth empowerment. The partnership is expected to not only equip students—especially girls—with in-demand technical expertise, but also enhance economic ties between Pakistan and China by nurturing a digitally skilled workforce capable of engaging in international e-commerce ecosystems.
The Ban-Mo Academy will serve as a hub for vocational skills training, with a focus on bridging Pakistan’s skills gap in the digital economy. It also reflects a growing emphasis on inclusive education, ensuring greater participation of women in high-growth sectors.
Officials from all five participating organizations praised the agreement as a milestone in strengthening educational exchange and industrial collaboration under the broader framework of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)-linked people-to-people development.