US to broaden trade ties with Pakistan

WASHINGTON: The United States on Friday renewed its resolve to broaden close relationship with Pakistan to cover trade and economic cooperation as a high-level Pakistani delegation and top US trade officials discussed ways to bolster bilateral relations.

“Today’s meeting demonstrates the continuing close cooperation between Pakistan and the United States on economic, trade, and investment issues,” Office of the Trade Representative Ron Kirk said. Pakistan’s Finance Advisor Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Secretary Commerce and senior officials are attending the fourth meeting of the United States-Pakistan Trade and Investment Council, under the U S-Pakistan Trade and Investment Agreement (TIFA) that was signed in 2003.

The office of US Trade Representative said Friday’s meeting “manifests the importance both governments place on strengthening a long-term relationship that broadens our cooperation beyond military and security ties to programs that promote the private sector and economic development”. The two sides are likely to discuss greater market access for Pakistan, prospects and progress toward the initiative of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones, and investment climate at day-long deliberations, officials said.