(Dubai) – An important conference aimed at expanding business, trade and commerce relations between Pakistan and United States was held in Dubai on June 25-26. Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar led a high-level delegation which includes Federal Minister for Water & Power Khawaja Asif, Advisor Foreign Relations Javed Malik, State Minister Khurram Dastagir and Secretary Commerce Munir Qureshi. The US side included the US deputy special representative for Pakistan & Afghanistan, Daniel Fieldman, Ambassador Richard Olson, Ambassador Raphel, Micheal Dodman and other senior officials from US Embassy in Pakistan, US Department of State, and US Department of Trade.
More than 100 US businessmen and entrepreneurs attended the two-day conference which would provide them with an opportunity to meet prominent Pakistani business leaders as well as the relevant government officials. Sector-specific presentations highlighting the investment and trade opportunities in Pakistan will be given in addition to panel discussions, and focused breakout sessions aimed at creating a working relationship between US and Pakistani business community.
Pakistani officials gave presentations and briefings on the various sectors including energy, agribusiness, infrastructure, education and other areas of mutual interest in an effort to provide first hand information to the potential investors. Speaking about the significance of the conference, Javed Malik said, “The Pakistan – US Business & Investment Conference comes at an important time as the new democratic government in Pakistan has taken office, and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has already indicated his government’s priority in creating an investor friendly business environment for foreign investors.”
Javed Malik said the US is a major trading partner for Pakistan, however according to observers on both sides, there is still a lot of scope to further expand our bilateral trade. This conference provides an opportunity to explore new avenues and identify the sectors for investment which are most attractive for US companies, and therefore the conference will pave the way for increased cooperation. Underscoring the importance of increased market access. Pakistan will continue to make a case for increased market access of Pakistani goods in the US because this would have a very favourable impact on giving the much-needed boost to bilateral trade.”
