29 September 2004	Wednesday	13 Shaban 1425

WASHINGTON, Sept 28: Federal Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan, who arrived here Monday from New York on a week-long visit said that Pakistan offers lucrative investment and trade opportunities and urged US businessmen to take full advantage of the country's conducive environment.

He was addressing a luncheon meeting at the US Chamber of Commerce hosted by the US-Pakistan Business Council. Referring to the progressing economic environment of Pakistan, the Commerce Minister said the things have settled down politically and democracy and parliamentary practices were very much functional.

He said Pakistan today offered a lot of opportunities for investors. Humayun said the present government had enforced a lot of reforms in the economic field and these reforms had borne fruits and referred to the favourable economic indicators that had been achieved.

In this context, he particularly cited the attainment of 6.4 per cent growth rate, which is a record achievement. He said the domestic businesses were flourishing as were the multi-nationals, who had full confidence in the overall economic environment and who were willing to invest more in Pakistan.

Basically, he said Pakistan had been a textile exporting country with a fair repute, offering a lot of opportunities in the textile trade. He, however, stressed the international market to reverse tariff barriers for smooth sailing of Pakistan textile trade.

"We need an open market access in the US and Europe," the Commerce Minister stated. "We will discuss with the US officials, the matter of intellectual and proprietary rights." Besides, more market access to Pakistan would also be discussed.

He also highlighted the travel advisory issue, for those coming to Pakistan and coming out of it, in order to improve trade with Pakistan. We have to project the image of Pakistan so that it becomes the first investment destination for promising firms and entrepreneurs. -APP