US announces $80 million for Pakistan private investment initiative

PPII will spur job growth and economic development by expanding access to capital for Pakistani entrepreneurs.

ISLAMABAD: The United States on Friday announced a multi-year Pakistan Private Investment Initiative worth $80 million in financial support to promote economic activities in the country.     

Drawing on public-private partnerships, this initiative will spur job growth and economic development by expanding access to capital for Pakistan's small to medium sized companies, according to a statement by the US embassy.

"Pakistan has a wealth of talented entrepreneurs that desperately needs capital to fully realise their potential," said US Charge d'affaires in Pakistan, Richard E Hoagland.

He said that through this initiative, the United Stated can move beyond the traditional foreign assistance by playing a constructive role to help entrepreneurs expand their businesses, provide new jobs to Pakistan's fast-growing population, and by improving lives in the country.

He said that market-oriented, commercial solutions which support Pakistan’s economic development have been a priority for the United States.

The US Charge d'affaires said that the "Pakistan Private Investment Initiative" will generate investment funds catalysed by US assistance.

The initiative seeks private or other qualified sources of capital for matching investments and funding management services. The investment funds will make equity investments in promising Pakistani companies, under-served by existing sources of capital.

The Pakistan Private Partnership Initiative welcomes proposals from qualified Pakistani, regional, and international fund managers keen on investments in Pakistan by October 12, 2012, said a statement of from the United States embassy.