Representatives of US Sate Department, Mark Palermo and Dr Warren Weinstein, called on Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab on Economic Affairs and Vice Chairman Punjab Board of Investment & Trade (PBIT), Pir Saad Ahsanuddin here on Sunday.
Ahsanuddin while welcoming the $7.5 billion aid package to be provided by the US government, emphasised the need to use Punjab's share of these funds optimally and to support the existing robust development programme of the Punjab government.
Ahsanuddin underlined the importance of opening US markets for local textile industry. He asked the delegation to ensure more joint ventures between American and Pakistani companies in line with the Chief Minister's vision to boost job creation, technology transfer and economic activity.
Ahsanuddin pointed out that Punjab, with over 90 million people, was larger than France, UK or Spain in terms of population and, on a purchasing power parity basis is the 40th largest economy, larger than the economies of Bangladesh, Denmark and Portugal.