NEW YORK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday invited US companies to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan across six sectors during talks with two American business councils.
He identified agriculture, mining and minerals, information technology, energy security, ports and shipping, and privatisation as areas for potential cooperation.
The meeting brought together the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) and the US-Pakistan Business Council (USPBC). It took place on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Shehbaz told the delegation that Pakistan’s economy had stabilised and was moving toward growth. However, he acknowledged challenges linked to the Gulf crisis. He also cited economic digitisation, reforms in the Board of Revenue and expanded e-governance.
On agriculture, the prime minister said modern machinery could raise per-acre yields, improve efficiency and lower production costs. He also pointed to Pakistan’s young workforce as an asset for information technology and artificial intelligence.
Privatisation formed another part of the pitch. Shehbaz said Pakistan International Airlines had been privatised and that work was accelerating on power distribution companies.
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Executives from Boeing, Nvidia, Mastercard, Visa, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola and Abbott were among those attending. USPBC President Esperanza Jelalian outlined the US Chamber of Commerce’s plans to promote investment opportunities in Pakistan.
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Meanwhile, BCIU President Peter Tichansky said member companies were interested in expanding existing investments and exploring new partnerships.
Both councils said they would remain engaged with Pakistan’s government and private sector to expand cooperation.
