LAHORE, May 8: The US is paying special attention to the growth of the SME sector in Pakistan as it could give the required boost to the overall country’s economy. US embassy’s Commercial Officer Ms Mecan Selmon said this while talking to Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Mian Shafqat Ali, senior vice-president Abdul Basit and executive committee members here on Monday.

She said the US government accorded a high priority to trade relations with Pakistan and was finalising the bilateral investment to provide institutional framework for comprehensive economic partnership.

Ms Selmon said the bilateral investment treaty would pave way for a free trade agreement between the US and Pakistan. It would also facilitate an increase in the volume of bilateral trade and increase in employment opportunities in Pakistan.

Chamber president Mian Shafqat Ali said that Pakistan had 14 per cent of its trade with America but its exports to it were only 7.8 per cent. The trade was expected to grow manifold under the WTO regime providing Pakistan a greater access to the US market.

He said the US was also one of the major investors in Pakistan and bilateral investment treaty was expected to increase its buyer-driven investment in Pakistan. It had the human resource potential, local market depth and regional market accessibility to make the most of any investment initiative.

Pakistan was particularly keen in US initiatives for transfer of technology in SMEs, pharmaceuticals and light and heavy engineering sectors, he said. order: Allama Iqbal Town union council nazims and councillors on Monday demanded immediate shifting of abattoir and cattle market from Kot Kamboh on Bund Road to Shapur Kanjran on Multan Road.

Voicing the demand at a reception hosted by Sabzazar union council nazim Haji Irshad Dogar in the honour of State Minister Senator Kamil Ali Agha the nazims and councillors said shifting of the slaughterhouse and market had become necessary because they had become a nuisance for the residents.

Mr Agha supported their demand and asked Allama Iqbal Town nazim to give a timeframe for it.