Pakistani Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has stated that Pakistan is suitable and ready to play the role of a connector country, similar to Mexico.
The Pakistani ambassador made these remarks while addressing American policymakers, diplomats, and the business community at the Washington World Trade Center.
Rizwan Saeed Sheikh said that promoting economic relations is his top priority as an ambassador. The Pakistan-U.S. trade deficit is very low and can easily be bridged.
He stated that Pakistan is the largest importer of American cotton and also imports soybeans from the U.S., and it can function as a regional hub.
The Pakistani ambassador invited American investors to fully take advantage of the economic opportunities in Pakistan and said that sectors like agriculture, IT, and mineral resources present unique opportunities for American investors.
He said that in the IT sector, Pakistan provides quality services at up to 70% lower costs compared to the U.S. The Government of Pakistan is further simplifying processes for investors and the business community, and providing a favorable environment and necessary facilities to businesses is a top priority of the government.
The Pakistani ambassador said that the decades-long successful operations of over 80 American companies in Pakistan are the biggest example of Pakistan being a profitable market. He added that American investors have access to a large market with a population of 250 million, as well as the broader regional market.
Speaking on the recent Pakistan-India tensions, the Pakistani ambassador said that India’s provocations and aggression came at a time when Pakistan was focused on economic development. He said the nation is proud of the effective response to Indian aggression, but our top priority remains peace, which will pave the way for economic growth.
