Focus on ‘trade, not aid’, says Chaudhry

Ambassador-designate to US says Pakistan keen on enhancing bilateral trade

LAHORE: Pakistan Ambassador designate to the US Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry has said that the prime minister has given him the task of “Trade, not Aid” and he has taken this responsibility as a mission.

Speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), he said, “We would like to come out of the aid syndrome, as Pakistan has all accessories to get maximum share in the international trade.”



He said that both, the PML-N and Trump administration, have economic agendas therefore; there should be meaningful talks on trade and investment between the two countries.

“The US is Pakistan’s largest trading partner and over 1 million Pakistani expatriates are living there who would be encouraged to work to make Pakistan’s perception better.”

He particularly mentioned Afghanistan, saying that peace in that country is in the interest of Pakistan.

He said that the overall situation is far better than the past as Pakistan is emerging as a hub of economic activities and gaining the attention of foreign investors, adding that American investors would also be convinced to enhance their investment in Pakistan.



The ambassador said that liaison with LCCI would be top priority of the Pakistani mission in US and all possible facilities would be provided to LCCI delegations.

Also speaking on the occasion, LCCI President Abdul Basit said that rising mutual trade is a good omen and this trend should be continued.

He said that bilateral trade rose to $5.5 billion in 2015 from $4.4 billion in 2013, adding that both countries have the potential to grow mutual trade to $10 billion through joint efforts.

Basit said that the business community in Pakistan also wants of the Trump government to consider allowing duty free access to Pakistani merchandise in lieu of the country’s sacrifices in the US war against terrorism.

“Economic stability of Pakistan through prompt direct market access to US is a must to crush the terror in the region effectively,” he said.

“Aid or grant is undoubtedly remedy but has never been a substitute to trade,” he added. The LCCI president was of the view that market access will help rehabilitate and reconstruct the totally damaged basic industrial infrastructure besides generating jobs for millions of jobless people.



He said that the US happens to be the biggest export market for Pakistan but it has been witnessed that Pakistani exports to US are stagnant. The Pakistani embassy in US would have to ensure dissemination of trade, fairs and exhibitions related information, he added.

“Exchange of trade delegations always helps enhance trade volume,” said Basit, adding, “A delegation of LCCI is planning to visit US soon to exploit trade and investment opportunities.”

LCCI former president Sohail Lashari, former senior vice president Mian Nauman Kabir, former vice president Saeeda Nazar and other executive committee members also spoke on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 7^th, 2017.

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