LAHORE: An eleven-member delegation of US businessmen, led by Bolingbrook (USA) Mayor Roger C Claar, held business-to-business meetings with their Pakistani counterparts to ensure strong sector-specific liaison.
Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Almas Hyder, Senior Vice President Khawaja Shahzad Nasir, Vice President Fahimur Rehman Sehgal on the occasion spoke highly about the trade and economic relations between Pakistan and the United States. LCCI executive committee members and Lahore Mayor Col (r) Mubasher Javed were also present on the occasion.
“The meeting provides a good opportunity for both the business communities to know each other,” the Mayor of Bolingbrook said, adding that the private sectors of the US and Pakistan can take the mutual trade and economic relations to a new height.
He hoped that the businessmen of both countries would capitalize on this visit and establish strong business ties. “The purpose of the visit of US delegates to Pakistan is to explore business opportunities that can mutually benefit both countries. The US delegation members are specifically interested in financial services, event planning, education, telecommunication solutions and fuel injection pumps etc,” he added.
LCCI President Almas Hyder in his address said that Pakistan and USA have a long history of a multi-faceted relationship including diplomatic, strategic, cultural and economic relations.
“USA is the second largest trading partner of Pakistan. Among the top exporting and importing countries, USA comes at 1st and 3rd places respectively,” he noted, adding that the total bilateral trade in 2017 went as high as $6.4 billion but it has the potential to get doubled in few years through favourable policy initiatives.
He said it is high time that Lahore Chamber and Bolingbrook Chamber come forward and increase the frequency of exchanging such delegations. “Development of private-to-private contacts is the need of the hour and we are ready to play our due role in this regard,” he added.
