The US Consul General in Lahore Ms Catherine Rodriguez has pledged to support Pakistani businessmen's endeavours for enhancing Pakistan's exports to the United States.

She was speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) here on Monday. "Business is very near to my heart as I belong to a business family," the US Consul General said and added that US Consulate would extend every possible help for visa to Pakistani businessmen who want to do business with United States.

LCCI President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh suggested establishment of an Export Processing Zone under the umbrella of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry and US Consulate in Lahore to give a quantum jump to Pakistan's exports to United States. He also sought support of the US Consul General for establishment of a state-of-the-art certification laboratory in Lahore for food, textile, rice, leather and other industries.

He informed the US Consul General that a delegation of LCCI from IT and Textile value added industries would visit the United States very soon. The delegation would meet retailers and information technology related people to promote cooperation in these particular sectors, he said.

While answering a question from the US Consul General, the LCCI President expressed optimism that Pakistan would get rid of its economic issues by June 2020 under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan who is doing tireless efforts for economic revival of the country.

LCCI Senior Vice President Ali Hussam Asghar said that the Lahore Chamber would focus on exports during the ongoing year and US support in this regard is of utmost importance. There are tremendous opportunities for US companies to enter into joint ventures with Pakistani companies and incorporate cutting-edge US technologies into energy projects throughout Pakistan, particularly in renewable energy. There is also vast scope for US companies to invest in the blossoming e-commerce sector in Pakistan.

He also emphasized the need of direct market access for Pakistani exporters in United States and briefed about the potential areas where Pakistan and US can enhance trade by entering into joint ventures including pharmaceuticals, leather, light engineering like surgical instruments, processed food, financial services, retail sector, agriculture technology, poultry and meat.

Speaking on the occasion, Senior Vice President of SAARC Chamber Iftikhar Ali Malik called for establishment of export houses for ease in trade between the two countries.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019