ISLAMABAD, Nov 10: US wants to engage Pakistan in a long-term and productive dialogue by facilitating Pakistani entrepreneurs build partnerships with international business community and tackle the problems of poverty, unemployment and other challenges. This was stated by Paul A. Brinkley, Deputy Under Secretary of Defence (Business and Transformation) and Head of the Task Force on Business and Stability Operation, United States of America while addressing the business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI).
According to ICCI press release here on Tuesday, he said that Task Force?s visit to Pakistan was aimed at interacting with business community, know their views for building stronger ties between the two countries and work together for bringing international businessmen closer to their Pakistani counterparts for exploiting business and investment opportunities to strengthen Pakistan?s economy.
Speaking on the occasion, Saleem H. Mandviwalla, Chairman, Board of Investment and State Minister for Investment said Pakistan was a dynamic country blessed with immense human talent adding that US should help Pakistan in developing skills and expertise of its human resource.
He said the purpose of introducing US Task Force on Business and Stability Operation to country?s Chambers was to provide them an opportunity to get macro picture of Pakistan?s business environment and explore new opportunities for enhancing investment in different sectors of Pakistan?s economy.
He expressed the hope for more future trips of US Task Force to facilitate Pakistani businessmen in improving their business skills and strengthening their links with international counterparts.
ICCI President, Zahid Maqbool, in his welcome address said that US was the largest trading partner of Pakistan, but still the bilateral trade and investment did not reflect the true potential of both countries.
He said that US should provide easy access to Pakistani products in its markets and rationalize its tariff on Pakistani exports, particularly textile products.
Speaking about Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), he said it should be based on the principles of equality and fairness providing reciprocal advantages to Pakistani investors in the US .
He said US should help Pakistan exploit its immense natural energy resources including wind, coal, hydro and solar energy potential, which provide cheap energy as compared to thermal power.
He invited US investors for collaboration in energy, oil and gas, infrastructure development, agriculture, IT and many other sectors of Pakistan ?s economy and for starting joint ventures here.