The government of Azerbaijan is providing a number of scholarships to Pakistani youth for higher education, according to Ambassador Ali Alizada. More than 100 Pakistani students are studying at different public sector universities of Azerbaijan in medical, diplomacy, energy, information technology and other fields, the ambassador said, adding that a lot of other students are seeking their education in private universities and colleges of Azerbaijan as well. He said that five representatives of Pakistani youth got a chance to visit Azerbaijan last year through an essay writing contest project ‘What Do I know About Azerbaijan’. He said that another five youth are planned to visit Azerbaijan this year under the same project. Highlighting the importance of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the ambassador maintained that the mega project will not only improve infrastructure in Pakistan and trigger trade activities but will also act as a source of regional connectivity. He said the project will open up vast employment opportunities for Pakistani educated youth as well as skilled and non-skilled labour. “Azerbaijan supports China’s Belt and Road Initiative. A memorandum of understanding between Government of Azerbaijan and the Government of China on joint promotion of Silk Road economic belt was signed in 2015,” he recalled. He said that Azerbaijan has established several bridges between Europe and Asia through different regional transport corridors and modern infrastructure. “Big international transport projects have been implemented by Azerbaijan or by participation of Azerbaijan, such as Baku-Tbilisi-Kars, North-South, East-West, Lapis Lazuli, Baku International Sea Port,” he said. Discussing tourism, the ambassador said that Azerbaijan has a good tourism infrastructure. “By the decree of President of Azerbaijan, visa procedures have been simplified for Pakistani citizens and now one can get visa online through internet. Around 18,000 visitors travelled to Azerbaijan in 2017 and number of visitors is increasing every year. Only in the first quarter of 2018, we have already about 7000 visitors from Pakistan,” he said. Published in Daily Times, May 13th 2018.