ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and US have agreed this week here to work
together on measures that will promote private sector engagement
between the two countries and create legitimate and productive
enterprises for the Pakistani people.
Pakistan also asked for
support of its program to assist women-owned enterprises in rural areas
of the country. The U.S. delegation agreed to follow up on the proposal
once it is received. Pakistan provided an overview of its efforts to
export mangos to the United States and expressed its satisfaction in
the assistance they received but mentioned that additional work must be
done.
The U.S. delegation confirmed its continued support for the ongoing Pakistan trade capacity building program.
In
addition to the TIFA Council meeting yesterday, the U.S. and Pakistani
delegations also met Friday with representatives from the Pakistan
Institute of Fashion & Design (PIFD) in Lahore, Pakistan. The
PIFD’s board is chaired by Pakistan’s Minister of Commerce, Makhdoom
Muhammad Amin Fahim.
The Institute works to modernize and
diversify the textiles and apparel industry in Pakistan. The
delegations discussed ways to enhance the capacity of the PIFD,
including prospects for developing linkages with similar U.S.
institutions. This and other parts of Pakistan’s economy were hit hard
by the devastating floods of 2010. The two delegations also met with
U.S. and Pakistani companies to discuss their experiences as investors
in Pakistan and listened to their views about how best to improve the
trade and investment climate in both countries. The Parties expressed
their desire to reach agreement in the coming weeks on dates for the
next TIFA Council meeting to be held in Washington in 2012. Online
