US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter Thursday reiterated his government's commitment to an 'enduring' partnership with the people and government of Pakistan saying stronger and prosperous Pakistan was in America's interest as well.
"We will support our Pakistani friends as they address formidable macro-economic challenges. This is in your interests, and, I believe, this is very much in America's interests as well," said Cameron Munter while addressing a roundtable meeting that brought together private and public sector leaders to discuss ways to improve trade policy and performance in order to boost the country's economic growth.
He said, "a stronger, more prosperous, more democratic Pakistan which capitalises on the remarkable creativity and dynamism in your society, is a stronger and better partner for America, for your neighbours, and for the world".
The Ambassador is on an intense public relations campaign to defuse the negative image of US as perceived by 80 percent of the Pakistan public, as revealed in independent surveys. Last week, the Ambassador had stated, "We have learnt a lesson from 1989 when at the conclusion of Afghan war, we turned our attention elsewhere. We turned away from this region. We made a mistake and we don't want to make this mistake again."
Recapitulating Vice President Joe Biden's remarks during his recent visit, the Ambassador said that we will stand behind Pakistan's efforts to use international trade as an engine for economic growth.
We endorse the European Union's initiative to provide Pakistan additional market access benefits. We also are renewing efforts in Washington to work with Congress in passing Reconstruction Opportunity Zone legislation, he added. Zafar Mehmood, Secretary, Ministry of Commerce underlined the need for stronger public-private partnership and said that the government is aiming at greater market access for Pakistani goods. We are supporting national trade while discouraging the unauthorised trade, he added.
Key issues discussed included reducing the cost of trade and doing business in Pakistan, supporting a level playing field for authorized trade, expanding regional trade, and accessing export opportunities more effectively. Private sector representatives presented recommendations and proposed an implementation roadmap to policy-makers. The roundtable also established a forum for regular public-private sector consultation under the aegis of the National Trade and Transport Facilitation Commission. The event was organised by the US Agency for International Development's Pakistan TRADE Project with the support of the Ministry of Commerce.