Zardari urges enhanced trade ties with US

Blome reassures support to Pakistan in fighting terror

ISLAMABAD:

 

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has underlined the need to enhance trade and investment relations with the USA, besides exploring collaborative opportunities in diverse sectors.

He said that American enterprises should be encouraged to invest in the Pakistan Stock Exchange as well as bring innovative business ideas to the country’s economy.

The president made the remarks while talking to US Ambassador Donald Blome who called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release.

During the meeting, the president said that Pakistan had enjoyed a long-standing and broad-based relationship with the USA spanning over seven decades, which needed to be further strengthened.

He said that the top priority of Pakistan was to put its economy on the right track and overcome economic and security challenges. He highlighted that climate change was a global issue, and Pakistan was among the countries most vulnerable to its adverse impacts.

He said that Pakistan wanted to improve its agricultural sector by adopting modern irrigation techniques to conserve water and reduce reliance on flood irrigation.

Ambassador Donald Blome said that Pakistan and the USA could enhance bilateral collaboration in the fields of trade & investment, climate change, renewable energy, agriculture and security.

Also read: US envoy assures FM Dar support for economic reforms

He informed that the USA had completed the Sindh Basic Education Programme to build climate-resilient schools to strengthen Pakistan’s education sector.

He also congratulated the president on assuming the office for a second time.

A statement from Acting US Mission Spokesperson Thomas Montgomery said the two met today to discuss a broad range of issues important to their bilateral relationship, including US support for continued economic reforms, human rights and regional security.

It added that during the meeting, the US envoy conveyed his condolences for the loss of life in Saturday’s terrorist attack at a security post in Mir Ali in North Waziristan which claimed the lives of seven Pakistani soldiers.

Blome also highlighted the importance of the two countries’ shared interests and the many opportunities to advance r shared goals, including through high-level dialogues and the Green Alliance framework.
Meanwhile, United States Ambassador Donald Blome engaged in a crucial meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday, emphasising US support for economic reforms in Pakistan.

Earlier in the day, Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong met Foreign Minister Dar and reaffirmed the indispensable strategic cooperative partnership for the progress and prosperity of both countries.