US seeks deeper trade, investment partnership with Pakistan: CG

LAHORE: US Consul General in Lahore Stetson Sanders has underscored Pakistan’s vast economic potential and reaffirmed Washington’s desire to expand bilateral trade, investment and business cooperation between the two sides.

Stronger people-to-people ties will further cement the longstanding relationship between Pakistan and the United States, he said while speaking at a ceremony hosted by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence. Sanders said Pakistan-US relations were cordial, enduring and rooted in close friendship.

“The United States wants to broaden its partnership with Pakistan across all sectors and further strengthen trade and economic linkages,” he said, adding that efforts would continue to create greater opportunities and facilitate Pakistani traders and industrialists. The US consul general said Washington would continue supporting sectors in Pakistan that could contribute to poverty reduction and sustainable economic development.

Highlighting the importance of direct engagement between citizens of the two countries, Sanders said people-to-people connections formed the foundation of strong bilateral relations. He described the event as an important opportunity to promote cooperation, strengthen mutual contacts and expand trade and economic ties between Pakistan and the United States.

Sanders also praised FPCCI’s role as an effective voice of Pakistan’s private sector, saying the federation was playing an important part in creating new opportunities for the business community and contributing to national economic growth.

The consul general thanked FPCCI for organising the event and planted a sapling at the federation’s Regional Office in Lahore as a symbol of friendship and enduring partnership between Pakistan and the United States.

FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh said the historic occasion of the 250th anniversary of US independence provided an ideal opportunity to take economic, commercial and people-to-people relations between Pakistan and the United States to new heights.

Congratulating the US government and people on the milestone, he said Pakistan was keen to further develop relations with Washington based on mutual respect, shared interests and economic cooperation. Atif Ikram said the United States remained the largest single-country market for Pakistani exports, while bilateral trade reached approximately $8.7 billion in 2025, reflecting significant untapped potential for greater commercial cooperation.

He identified information technology, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, critical minerals and digital services as key sectors offering exceptional opportunities for US investment.

The FPCCI president stressed that policy continuity, regulatory reforms, ease of doing business and stronger investment protections were essential to unlocking the full potential of bilateral economic relations.

FPCCI Regional Chairman and Vice President Zaki Ijaz and United Business Group (UBG) Patron-in-Chief SM Tanveer said the federation would continue to serve as an effective bridge between the business communities of the two countries. They said greater emphasis would be placed on trade delegations, investment forums, business-to-business linkages and strategic partnerships to deepen economic engagement.

The speakers expressed confidence that the next phase of Pakistan-US relations would be built on the strong pillars of trade, investment, innovation and people-to-people connectivity, opening new avenues for shared prosperity, sustainable economic cooperation and a lasting partnership.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026