Acting US CG addresses Pak-Kyrgyz trade-investment forum

LAHORE: Acting US Consul General in Lahore Kathleen Gibilisco has said that the United States (US) supports improving Pakistan’s trade volumes, particularly with Central Asian Republics through US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Pakistan’s Regional Economic Integration Activity (PREIA).

She expressed these views while addressing 150 public and private sector representatives from Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan at a jointly organized Trade and Investment Forum here on Thursday, which was jointly organized by the USAID’s PREIA, the Ministry of Commerce, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in Pakistan. Kyrgz Ambassador to Pakistan Totuiaev Ulanbek Asankulovich, and TDAP Director General Shahzad Ahmed Khan Rajput represented their respective countries.

Acting Consul General Gibilisco further said that the USAID’s PREIA assists Pakistani and Central Asian businesses by supporting trade promotion initiatives, organising trade exhibitions and business forums, facilitating bilateral trade deals and partnerships, and increasing awareness of untapped opportunities for trade and investment between countries.

“This year marks 75 years of US-Pakistan bilateral relations. During this time, our partnership has grown in many areas, and we look forward to building on our successes and expanding trade and investment ties and opportunities within the region,” she noted.

The Forum aimed to create opportunities for the business communities of both countries, encourage dialogue on prospects for increasing bilateral trade and investment flows, develop linkages between the public and private sector stakeholders, and introduce new business and investment opportunities that can lead to the socio-economic uplift of both countries.

A 45-member delegation from the Kyrgyz Republic visited Pakistan from April 19 to 22 to participate in two trade and investment forums in Islamabad and Lahore. The keynote remarks of the participants underscored the importance of utilising the geostrategic locations of Pakistan and the Kyrgyz Republic to bolster economic ties within the region.

The Forum brought together more than 150 public and private sector stakeholders including representatives of trade development authorities and free economic zones, traders, industry unions, trade associations, chambers of commerce and industries, investors and businessmen from Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022