Allowing Pakistani products free access: US should honour its commitment: MCCI

President Multan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) Malik Asrar Ahmed Awan on Sunday urged the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to honour her commitments of giving a free access to Pakistan's products to the markets of Europe and the US. Awan highlighted that Hillary, during her recent visit to Pakistan, made the commitments.
He also highlighted that the US secretary of state, during her earlier visit to Lahore and Islamabad, had also made announcements to help Pakistan's economy by providing special concessions, direct market access, long term investments in Pakistan in different sectors and other incentives but the business fraternity of Pakistan still awaits an initiation in this regard.
He also said there is a vast scope for the US investors in Pakistan particularly in the agro power and the IT sector, and added that the US Chamber of Commerce can play a pivotal role in promoting bilateral trade relations.
Awan said if the US is sincere with Pakistan in their fight against terrorism, then it should lift all the economic restrictions on a free flow of trade at zero duty to fully facilitate private sectors of either country. However, he said that no concrete measures in this regard have so far been taken from the concerned authorities of the US.
The president MCCI emphasised that due to the war against terrorism, Pakistan's national economy is constantly suffering. In the present circumstances the US government, instead of a grant or aid, should provide an immediate direct market access to Pakistan's products on a zero rate duty to help stabilise the country's economy. "The US should buy products from the industrial zones of Pakistan to strengthen the existing industrial network with a provision of modern infrastructure", he added.
Awan said "Pakistan is an emerging market rich with opportunities for investments from the US, while the United States is already an important trading partner".
He said the US Chamber of Commerce and the US-Pak Business Council can also play a vital role in developing a durable understanding between both the countries by holding direct one-on-one interactions with the traders, importers and exporters for a sustainable economic growth coupled with promotion of trade on a fast track.