Pakistan, US agree to boost economic cooperation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States have agreed to work closely on mutually beneficial areas of bilateral economic cooperation.

The understanding came during telephonic conversation between Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and US Under-Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and Environment Catherine A. Novelli on Tuesday.

Novelli appreciated the deep reforms and bold initiatives taken by the government to bring about macroeconomic stability and improve governance during the last three years.  The finance minister thanked Novelli for the cooperation and assistance provided by the US which has led to an increase in the US-Pakistan bilateral engagement at both public and private sector levels.

Novelli expressed the hope that in case the finance minister visits Washington
DC, they can meet to discuss the bilateral economic portfolio.  Under-Secretary Novelli expressed the hope that bilateral economic cooperation to stimulate growth in Pakistan will continue with the same zeal and commitment under the new administration of President-elect Donald J Trump.

The finance minister expressed satisfaction at the ongoing bilateral economic relations with the US and hoped for enhanced relat-ions with the incoming administration of the President-elect. Both sides expressed good wishes and agreed to work closely on mutually-beneficial areas of bilateral economic cooperation.