US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross meets PM

ISLAMABAD: US Secretary of Commerce Mr Wilbur Ross, who is on a visit to Pakistan, on Wednesday called on Prime Minister Imran Khan at PM Office Islamabad.

The prime minister said that his visit would help in realizing the shared vision of Pakistan-US leadership to transform the bilateral relationship into a broad-based, multifaceted and economic-centered partnership.

Noting that the US was Pakistan’s second-largest trading partner and had a significant investment footprint in Pakistan, the prime minister underscored the need to take full advantage of trade and investment opportunities in Pakistan.

PM Imran Khan also stressed the importance of enhancing business-to-business cooperation between the two countries. He underlined that Pakistan’s business-friendly policies had led to vast improvement in the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ in Pakistan.

The prime minister also highlighted the huge potential in the areas of e-commerce and digital services as well as energy, mining, technology and agribusiness sectors that offered additional opportunities for US corporate sector. 

According to the Foreign Office, the purpose of the visit is to discuss further strengthening economic, trade and investment ties between the two countries in the shared vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Trump. The visit will impart a strong impetus to joint efforts for forging more robust economic engagement between the two countries.

Prior to his arrival, the US Commerce Secretary said he was looking forward to his meeting with PM Imran in Islamabad where he will discuss ways in which the two countries can boost trade and investment between the two countries.

“As President Trump said this week, ‘Our relationship with Pakistan is a very good one.’ I look forward to meeting with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad,” tweeted Ross.

In a meeting with Adviser on Commerce Razak Dawood, US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said several US companies are desirous of enhancing their investments to Pakistan.

Wilbur Ross said Pakistan and the United States will have to collectively work to promote the volume of their bilateral trade. He said the US wants to play its full part in the progress and development of Pakistan.

In his remarks, the commerce adviser said that the government is taking special steps to ensure ease of doing business.