RAWALPINDI: United States is committed to improve trade relations with Pakistan as both countries have the potential to establish business partnerships, Commercial Officer of the United States (US) Embassy Stephen P Knode Tuesday said.
Visiting Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), he said, “We want to improve our bilateral trade relationship and look forward for partners with a prime objective of economic engagement.”He appreciated RCCI’s role in promoting business activities and trade relations by holding exhibitions in and outside the country. He invited the business community to attend Select USA Investment Summit to be held from June 18 to 20.
There are great opportunities for small and medium size companies as representatives from more than 45 states will be participating in the summit, he added. Referring to China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Stephen said this will help Pakistan to improve its infrastructure and regional connectivity. Earlier, in his welcome address, President RCCI Raja Amer Iqbal said bilateral trade between Pakistan and the USA is far less than real potential of both the countries.
He said both countries should focus on frequent exchange of trade delegations to improve two-way trade. Businesses to business (B2B) meetings are important to understand each other requirements.
RCCI president said $51 billion CPEC project is part of $1465 billion One Belt One Road (OBOR). Pakistan’s economic outlook offers promising future and urged that more US investors should explore Pakistan for joint ventures and investment in energy, pharmaceutical, infrastructure development and other sectors.
Business community believed that CPEC should not be centric to any specific country. It offered great regional connectivity and integration from South Asia to Central Asian countries and beyond, he added
