The agreement to declare Punjab and California as sister provinces was signed at the State Capitol building in Sacramento, California on Monday.

The agreement was signed by the Speaker of the California State Assembly Anthony Rendon and Chairman Planning and Development Board Punjab Wasif Khurshid.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Masood Khan witnessed the signing ceremony. Former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani was also present at the occasion.

The Ambassador and the visiting delegation of Pakistan were warmly received at the California State Assembly.

The sister province agreement between California and Punjab would promote mutual trade and commerce and increase the potential for educational, environmental, and cultural relations.

This would also provide an opportunity to exploit the untapped economic potential and promote people to people contacts.

The state of California, which is among the top four economies of the world and a vibrant middle class of Punjab, would create the required synergies for nurturing a mutually beneficial relationship and a win-win partnership.

The visiting delegation of Pakistan earlier in the day also visited the University of California, Davis and met Chancellor Gary May.

Both sides discussed ways to strengthen the collaboration between UC Davis and University of Agriculture Faisalabad and agreed to further build up on the partnership.

Cooperation in climate smart agriculture was also discussed during the meeting.