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Washington,
DC: A delegation of leading businesses from the United
States visited Pakistan from March 15-19 to explore opportunities
for investment. The delegation, organized by the US-Pakistan
Business Council at the US Chamber of Commerce, held meetings
with senior Pakistani government officials in Islamabad
to discuss avenues for promoting increased investment from
the United States. Ambassador Ashley Wills, US Trade Representative
for South Asia, accompanied the delegation to meetings
with government officials in Islamabad.
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The
US delegation which visited Pakistan comprised
Pakistani-American businessmen, including Mr. Pervaiz
Lodhie of Ledtronics
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The
US business delegates also met with US Ambassador Nancy
Powell to discuss the role of the US Embassy in business
facilitation, US assistance to Pakistan, and US-Pakistan
relations in general. Ambassador Powell encouraged trade
and investment in Pakistan.
The delegation met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mian Khursheed
Kasuri, the Minister of Finance Shaukat Aziz, the Minister of Commerce
Humayun Akhtar Khan, the Federal Minister for Investment and Privatization,
Dr. Hafeez Shaikh, and the Minister of Information Technology Awais
Ahmad Khan Leghari.
The delegation praised the success of the Government of Pakistan, including
the country’s growth rate and increasing foreign currency reserves.
The delegates suggested areas where they felt the government could
improve the climate for foreign direct investment. These areas include:
clarification and implementation of intellectual property rights
laws, as well as effective execution of government policies to promote
foreign direct investment. The delegation also stressed the need
to promote Pakistan as an attractive venue for US investment.
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