WASHINGTON-Noting that the US and Muslim communities around the world have often fallen victim to mutual mistrust, President Barack Obama has announced a series of measures to build up the trust between US and the Islamic world, advancing further the agenda he had announced at Cairo a year ago. In this regard, he said, his administration was forging new partnerships with Pakistan and Afghanistan 'to isolate violent extremists, but also to combat corruption and foster the development that improves lives and communities. Obama cited the story of a Pakistani womans success in pulling families out of poverty through micro-financing as he addressed a gathering of entrepreneurs from 50 Muslim countries, including Pakistan and India, and pledged Washingtons commitment to deepen business and entrepreneurship ties with them. The President also took the opportunity to renew his pledge to strive for peace in the Middle East. 'So long as I am President, the US will never waiver in pursuit of a two-State solution that ensures the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians, Obama added. Obama called for more exchanges between Americans and Muslims, vowing to engage in a 'sustained effort to reach out and listen to opinions that come from particularly young people in Muslim countries. 'Trade between the US and Muslim majority countries is growing, but all this trade combined is only equal to our trade with one country-Mexico, Obama added. The summit, which is being held Monday and Tuesday in Washington, is focusing on ways that Americans and Muslims of different backgrounds can exchange views and learn from each other. Obama had travelled to Cairo nearly one year ago and gave a major speech to the Muslim world calling for a new beginning between US and Muslim communities - a new beginning based on mutual interest and mutual respect. 'The United States is launching several new exchange programmes. We will bring business and social entrepreneurs from Muslim-majority countries to US and send their American counterparts to learn from your countries, Obama said in his address. Women in technology fields will have the opportunity to come to the United States for internships and professional development, Obama said, adding, since innovation is central to entrepreneurship, the US is creating new exchanges for science teachers. 'Were forging new partnerships in which high-tech leaders from Silicon Valley will share their expertise - in venture capital, mentorship, and technology incubators - with partners in the Middle East and in Turkey and in Southeast Asia, he said. US President said the Global Technology and Innovation Fund that he announced in Cairo about a year ago will potentially mobilise more than US dollars 2 billion in investments. Among a host of examples about progress in the Muslim world, Obama highlighted at the summit was the story of a Pakistani woman, Roshaneh Zafar, who - inspired by Bangladeshi pioneer Dr Muhammad Yunus model of Grameen Bank - has extended microfinancing through her 'Kashf organisation to help distressed families out of their financial woes. 'Look what happened when Muhammad (Yunus) shared his idea with a woman from Pakistan, who has since lifted hundreds of thousands of families and children out of poverty through a foundation whose name literally means 'miracle. 'Thats the example of Roshaneh Zafar, he stated amid applause from the gathering. 'Look what happened when that idea spread across the world including to people like my own mother, who worked with the rural poor from Pakistan to Indonesia. That simple idea, began with a single person, has now transformed the lives of millions. Thats the spirit of entrepreneurship, he added. In the broader perspective, he said a new beginning in relations between the US and the Muslim world is very much possible. 'So, yes, the new beginning we seek is not only possible, it has already begun. It exists within each of you, and millions around the world who believe, like we do, that the future belongs not to those who would divide us, but to those who come together; not to those who would destroy, but those who would build; not those trapped in the past, but those who, like us, believe with confidence and conviction in a future of justice and progress and the dignity of all human beings regardless of their race, regardless of their religion, he said. 'Thats the enormous potential that were hoping to unlock during this conference and hoping to continue not only this week but in the months and years ahead, he added.