Pak-US understanding needed to tighten economic ties

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: A greater understanding amongst the business communities of Pakistan and the United States is direly needed to further strengthen the trade and economic relations.

This was stated by Pakistani US National Shahid Ahmed Khan while delivering a lecture on "Building Bridges through Businesses" here at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Shahid Khan, who is a recognised authority on South Asian Affairs and profoundly knowledgeable about the real challenges, said that the business communities on both sides could be instrumental in creating partnerships and improved people-to-people contacts. He said Pakistanis living in the US could be very useful as a voice to reckon with in the policy making circles in Washington.

He said that the government should work out a proper plan to utilise the Pakistanis living in the United States as they are very influential in that society and have their say in policy formulation.

He said that the United States of America is interested in the progress and prosperity of Pakistan and not the other way round. Therefore, the Pakistanis should make their all out efforts to initiate joint ventures with their counterparts in the United States.

He told the participants that Pakistani businessmen need to develop systems to win their due share in the US market as this would not only earn respect to Pakistan but it would bring the two governments further closer.

Speaking on the occasion, the LCCI Vice-President Saeeda Nazar said that since the US is a major trading partner of Pakistan therefore, there is a great interest in as to how one can find innovative ways to have greater share in trade with the United States. She said that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry is working hard to educate its members as to how they could be able to win a foreign market.

She also appreciated the role of US Consulate that has been providing all business related information to Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Ms. Katie Kiser, Cultural Affairs Officer, Leslie Goodman, Information Officer and Robert Hawkins and Economic Officer were also present in the meeting.