November 7, 2002	Thursday	Ramazan 1,1423

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 6: US Under Secretary of State Alan Larson appreciated the progress Pakistan made during the last three years and hoped for the continuity and consistency of the economic reforms and policies.

Mr Larson, during a meeting with President General Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday, underlined the potential of the regional cooperation in trade and economic development and hoped that Pakistan would benefit from the emerging opportunities.

He also briefed the president of the details about the economic cooperation between the two states including the debt waiver and US aid.

The president, appreciating the economic support provided by the United States, hoped that the future economic relations would be driven by the increased private sector trade and investment. He highlighted the need for increased market access.

The general remarked that the policies pursued during the past three years gave the country economic sovereignty and pledged to continue the reforms.

He informed the US Under Secretary of State that the government was building the required infrastructure including Gwadar Port and roads network to facilitate the trade between Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Mr Musharraf said that the government was committed to develop regional pipelines for energy supply from the Central Asia via Afghanistan to Pakistan and beyond.

Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz and US Ambassador Nancy Powel were also present during the meeting.