US-Pak Business Council delegation meets Ishaq Dar

ISLAMABAD: A delegation of the US-Pak Business Council (USPBC), led by its Chairman Miles Young, held a meeting with Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar here the other day and discussed matters relating to enhancement of trade and business linkages between the two countries.

The delegations included 25 heads, chief executives and other senior officials of top US and Pakistani firms and companies.The delegation shared with the minister their plans to boost their investment in Pakistan and made suggestions for creating an enabling environment to help them move faster in that direction.

The finance minister briefed the members of the delegation on the comprehensive reforms agenda that the government had followed to achieve economic stability and improve security and business environment in the country.

He said the government was now focusing on the GDP growth and employment generation and the business community had a key role in supplementing the government’s efforts in this regard. He said the government had a resolve to facilitate the traders and businessmen and was taking a number of steps to achieve this objective.

He also apprised the delegation of the efforts being made by the government to address the energy shortages as well as the steps being taken for improving the ease of doing business.

The minister also apprised the delegation about the efforts for tax reforms and said the government was determined to promote tax culture in the country.

Members of the delegation acknowledged the progress made during the last two years in the economic and business spheres and stated that the government’s commitment to the reforms process was impressive. They stated that their visit had helped them truly  appreciate the significant improvements in the conditions on ground, both in terms of security as well as the business climate. They emphasised it was important that these facts were made known to the international investors and stated that they would act as ambassadors of Pakistan in that regard.

They also apprised the minister of the issues faced by individual investors in various areas and made proposals for their resolution.The minister assured the delegation that their suggestions would be considered for expeditious resolution of any unresolved issues.The minister said that he would welcome proposals on Pak US trade and business promotion and accord them due consideration.