Pakistani entrepreneurs encouraged to tap into American market

Islamabad : Amid global economic uncertainty, the US Embassy in Islamabad has urged Pakistani entrepreneurs to explore new business opportunities at the upcoming SelectUSA Investment Summit—a key event that connects international investors with fast-growing sectors across the United States.

During a briefing here on the summit set for May 11-14 at National Harbor, Maryland, embassy officials encouraged Pakistani businesses and entrepreneurs to take advantage of the US's stable, well-regulated investment environment and explore growth opportunities across a variety of sectors. They said the United States was the world's largest market and a top destination for long-term, dollar-based investment, so by investing in it, Pakistanis could grow their businesses in a strong, transparent market with ‘reliable’ returns.

Highlighting the broader SelectUSA programme, which is run by the US Department of Commerce, they said the initiative's main objective was to attract and facilitate foreign direct investment into the United States. The embassy officials noted that the May 11-14 summit served as the marquee event of the programme, offering a unique platform for global investors to connect with US state and local economic development organisations, industry experts and policymakers.

“Last year’s SelectUSA Investment Summit was the largest to date, with over 5,000 attendees representing a diverse array of global markets and all 50 US states and six territories,” an official said. He added that a delegation from Pakistan was expected again this year, comprising business leaders from various sectors including textiles, IT, food processing, management consulting and industrial chemicals.

“We are excited about the sectors in which Pakistani investors have historically thrived, and we're equally enthusiastic about emerging areas like logistics, renewable energy, healthcare, agribusiness and e-commerce,” he said. Embassy officials explained how SelectUSA supports international businesses: “We provide market data, personalised support and help companies connect directly with state-level agencies offering tax breaks and investment incentives.”

The summit also offers concentrated networking opportunities, with last year’s event featuring participation from 12 US state governors, according to them. When asked about potential policy concerns or instability due to recent US trade announcements, embassy officials said that SelectUSA’s mission was to create certainty and support for investors.

“Each US state and territory has its own investment policies and incentives. What we do is help investors navigate this complex landscape and find the best fit for their business,” an official said. Addressing the global economic outlook and its potential impact on foreign investment, officials emphasised the resilience of the US economy and its decentralised model.

“We’re focused on promoting high-growth regions—clean energy in the Southwest, manufacturing in the Midwest and tech hubs along the West Coast,” the official said, adding that the summit will prominently feature these sectors and locations. They also noted that the US offered significant incentives for startups and that SelectUSA could help small businesses and freelancers explore various state-level options.

“California on its own is the fourth-largest economy in the world—we’ve seen many international tech firms succeed by setting up in Silicon Valley,” an official said. The event concluded with a strong message: the United States is open to investment from Pakistani businesses of all sizes and sees significant potential in deepening economic ties between the two nations.