Trade ties: Tareen seeks US investment

Shaukat Tareen says Pakistan is free and independent country and it should avoid US economic aid tied with conditions.

ISLAMABAD:
Former finance minister Shaukat Tareen has said that good economic ties with the US will benefit Pakistan and urged Washington to invest in diverse sectors. “Pakistan should increase its trade volume with the US,” he said while speaking to Radio Pakistan, adding the US was a huge economic power and maximum benefit should be obtained. He suggested that Pakistan can seek US help for construction of dams which can help the country generate energy at lower prices. “Pakistan is a free and independent country and it should avoid US economic aid tied with conditions,” Tareen added. Former ambassador to the US Abida Hussain said that the US intends to have close cooperation with Pakistan. Pakistan and the US are making earnest efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and in this regard US has introduced various social welfare projects in Pakistan which will help to strengthen economic development, she said.


Published in The Express Tribune, February 5th, 2014.