October 4, 2002	Friday	Rajab 26, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 3: The Bush Administration has assured Pakistan of increased US investment and additional budgetary support for health, education and internal security.

“We have extensively discussed the question of increasing American investment in Pakistan and more market access specially for our textile products and we have received a very good response”, said minister for finance Shaukat Aziz.

Speaking at a news conference after returning from a four-day visit to the United States, he said here on Thursday that he has held fruitful discussions with US Secretary of Treasury Paul O’ Neil and Deputy Secretary of State Mr Larson for increasing political and economic cooperation between the two countries.

He said he has held important discussions with the World Bank, IMF and IFC officials in Washington. At the same time, he said he had met the authorities of the EXIM Bank, Overseas Private Insurance Corporation (OPIC), beside holding separate meetings with various finance ministers including that of France, Britain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Giving the details, he said that during his meetings in Washington matters pertaining to continuity of reforms, consistency in policies and continuation of the present team of President Pervez Musharraf beyond October this year were discussed.

“I told them that as far as the present team is concerned, this will be decided by the future government. However, I assured them that the government would make sure that reform process continues and is not undone by the future government”, Mr Aziz said.

He said that the US secretary of treasury assured him that his country would write off $1 billion out of $3.2 billion debt owed by Pakistan. The issue he said, has been sent to Congress for final approval.

Mr Aziz said that he had held meeting with Congressman Jim Kolb who assured him to offer additional budgetary support to Pakistan for health, education and internal security.