US keen to enhance trade with Pakistan: counsellor

Islamabad: US Embassy Counsellor for Economic and Commercial Affairs Amy E Holman has said that USA is keen to enhance its bilateral trade with Pakistan. She said this in a meeting with the President of Islamabad Commerce & Industry, Ijaz Abbasi, and SVP Munawar Iqbal here on Wednesday.

She said that the USA was funding for improvement of infrastructure of Pakistan since it is a progressive developing country and government policies for economic growth are good. She said that Pakistan has strategic importance and it is the main partner against international war against terrorism.

Amy said that the USA could increase trade relations with Central Asian Republics through Pakistan. However, economic stability needed political stability, she added. She said that US visa would be granted to genuine businessmen after clearance by State department.

She admitted that the process is slow, but Pakistan trade delegations could visit the United States for enhancing bilateral trade relations. She said that USA had funded $750 million for power development projects in Pakistan, beside launching a number of development programmes in FATA.

The US Counsellor indicated that the US was keen to export cotton, special machinery, animal or vegetable fat, general machinery, fertiliser, transport equipment, organic chemicals and power generating machinery and equipment to Pakistan.

ICCI President emphasised the importance of economic relationship between Pakistan and the United States and pledged to work to expand bilateral trade and investment opportunities.

Abbasi said that Pakistan could export textile yarn and fabrics, apparel and clothing accessories, leather and leather manufactures, surgical instruments and sports goods in large quantities to the United States. He said that Pakistan is a 'paradise' for foreign investors, and the government is providing a lot of incentives to them. He expressed great concern over shortage of energy, and demanded of the government to adopt the alternative resources to overcome the energy crisis.