Blome Commits to Working with Pakistan in Development Initiatives
Staff Report
Ambassador Blome has said that the United States is committed to working with Pakistan in development initiatives, emphasizing that the United States remains Pakistan’s largest export market, a major source of high-quality investment, and a strong partner for Pakistan’s economic future.
Acting U.S. Mission Spokesperson Thomas Montgomery said that U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome met with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb to discuss key aspects of the U.S.-Pakistan trade, investment, and economic relationship.
The Ambassador highlighted ongoing U.S. support for Pakistan’s economic reform agenda. US Grants Citizenship to 18,000 Pakistanis
Ambassador Blome noted the United States is committed to working with Pakistan in technical and development initiatives, emphasizing that the United States remains Pakistan’s largest export market, a major source of high-quality investment, and a strong partner for Pakistan’s economic future.
On the occasion, the finance minister underscored the long-term mutual relations between Pakistan and the USA.
He informed the Ambassador about successful completion of the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) and that the Government of Pakistan was engaged with the fund to build upon the reforms under the SBA.
He highlighted the priority reform areas of the government including increasing the tax-to-GDP ratio through end-to-end digitization, bringing the under-taxed sectors into the tax net, and tax administrative reforms.
The minister reiterated the Prime Minister’s commitment to privatizing State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), which has sparked interest from local and foreign investors in the case of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
On the energy sector reforms, he mentioned steps being taken to bring private sector experts to enhance efficiency. He also apprised the Ambassador of the potential investments from investors in the Agriculture, Mining, and IT sectors.
Ambassador Blome appreciated the Pakistani government’s efforts and initiatives to improve macroeconomic indicators and assured the support of the United States in helping Pakistan achieve economic stability and sustainable growth.
