US Charge d’Affaires Natalie Baker on Friday reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to Pakistan’s economic development, emphasising that deeper trade and investment ties would deliver mutual benefits.
Baker visited Karachi from September 23-26 to strengthen commercial relations, meeting political leaders, government officials, and business executives. She highlighted that over 80 US companies operate in Pakistan, directly employing 120,000 people and indirectly supporting about one million more.
“Strengthening our commercial partnership with Pakistan benefits both our peoples and helps foster shared prosperity,” Baker said. “Together, we can ensure the next chapter of our partnership is one of mutual growth and opportunity.”
During her visit, she met Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Governor Kamran Tessori to discuss trade, investment, and flood recovery, including recent US contributions. Baker also engaged with executives from KFC, Liberty Group, Gerry’s Group, and the Reko Diq mining project to explore opportunities in technology, energy, critical minerals, manufacturing, textiles, packaging, and ports.
US textile companies briefed Baker on innovations such as RFID and smart labels for supply chain management, which could enhance Pakistan’s export competitiveness. She also discussed support for the critical minerals sector with Reko Diq’s new country manager and highlighted the contributions of American franchises in Pakistan at Gerry’s Group.
In another engagement, Baker joined senior Pakistan Navy officials to welcome the USS Wayne E Meyer, an Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer, to Karachi port.
