ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) has almost given the final shape to the arrangements for the upcoming the two-day Pak-U.S Business Opportunity Conference.
The Pak-U.S Business Opportunity Conference is scheduled to be held here in the Federal Capital on March 10-11 and a large number of U.S businessmen representing agriculture, textiles, apparel, footwear, energy, surgical instruments, healthcare, pharmaceutical, infrastructure and ICT are likely to participate in the conference.
“The conference is also aimed to present Pakistan to the international community as a reliable business and investment destination. The conference will cover areas like Textiles with focus on home textiles, agriculture with focus on finished food products, fruits, vegetables and rice, leather with focus on accessories, footwear, surgical instruments, information technology, energy and infrastructure” a well placed source at MoC told this scribe here on Wednesday.
Officials of the concerned wing of the Ministry remained busy in making telephonic contacts with the participants and getting their confirmation for participation in the event. After getting assurances, the concerned officials were being apprised about personalities who gave commitments in this connection.
Prior to the conference, a soft launch of the event will be made on tomorrow (Thursday) in Karachi. Minister for Commerce, Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan, Additional Secretary Commerce Robina Athar, Ambassador of United States to Pakistan Richard Olson and the President of the American Business Council (ABC) Arshad Saeed Husain will brief the members of the American Business Council and the media regarding the prospects of the Pak-US trade and Investment.
In his speech the Minister for Commerce would highlight MoC’s resovle to promote international trade which is must of Pakistan’s economic development and poverty reduction strategies.
This is the centerpiece of the current government’s vision and strategy to fight violent extremism through economic and political empowerment of the people of Pakistan.
Minister will further share Pakistan and the US an important economic and strategic relationship. Government of Pakistan, therefore, places a high priority on bolstering economic engagement with the U.S.
Both governments acknowledge the fact that closer economic ties and expanded trade and investment opportunities would lend greater strength and sustainability to this strategic relationship and help towards realization of shared objectives including promotion of enduring stability in the region.
In his welcome address the President of ABC Arshad Saeed Husain likely to observe that The American Business Council of Pakistan is extremely pleased to partner with the Ministry of Commerce and the US Department of State for the 3rd edition of the upcoming Business Opportunities Conference.
ABC members represent American investment in Pakistan and they are committed to making this conference a success by showcasing their success stories and sharing their experiences with potential trader partners and investors.
United States of America (USA) is the largest single country export destination for Pakistan’s trade. Every year, around 15-20% of Pakistan’s total exports enter US market.
During 2013, Pakistan’s total exports to USA were US$ 3.687 billion, which is about 16% of the total exports of Pakistan to the world. US also remains a very important source of FDI and major areas of investment by American investors include energy, agriculture, IT and infrastructure.