US to Support Pakistan through Market Access Initiative
By Azhar Zaman
Washington , DC: As a follow-up to the recent US-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue, leaders of trade teams of both countries met here on April 23 when participants fully recognized that Pakistan’s participation in the global community’s effort to defeat the forces of extremism had seriously impacted the country’s export competitiveness. For that reason, the US reaffirmed its commitment to support Pakistan through market access initiatives. Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance, and Mr. Ron Kirk, United Sates Trade representative, represented their countries in the meeting where they delivered concluding statements at the end of the annual Pak-US TIFA Council meeting.
Mr. Hafeez Shaikh told the media at the Pakistan Embassy on April 26 that both sides agreed to work together and with the US Congress to move the ROZ legislation forward with the key priority of creating legitimate and productive jobs in areas vulnerable to the influence of violent extremism. Both countries also agreed to work together to develop new ideas to enhance market access, foster investment, and create jobs in both the countries..
United States-Pakistan Trade and Investment Council, under the US-Pakistan Trade and Investment Agreement (TIFA) that was signed in 2003 built on the commitments made during the recent US and Pakistan Strategic Dialogue to develop an open, results-oriented partnership between the two countries. This meeting demonstrates the continuing close cooperation between Pakistan and the United States on economic, trade, and investment issues. It manifests the importance both governments place on strengthening a long-term relationship by focusing on issues of importance to the Pakistani people.
The two sides agreed to continue the discussion on market access issues at a US-Pakistan Joint Trade Study Group meeting in Islamabad. The TIFA process and Joint Trade Study Group together support our shared objective of building closer ties between the citizens of our two countries. Over the long term, solid economic, trade, and investment policies will create jobs, boost investment, and generate sustainable development.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
