June 1, 2006	Thursday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 4, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, May 31: Pakistan has asked the United States to facilitate its students interested in getting admissions in US universities by removing the existing hurdles.

The demand was made by minister of state for finance, Omar Ayub Khan, while talking to a US congressional delegation led by Robin Hayes here on Wednesday.

The delegation called on Mr Khan and adviser to the prime minister on finance and revenue, Dr Salman Shah, states an official announcement.

Mr Khan said Pakistani students were now looking towards the universities of other countries as they were facing problems in getting admission in the US, which needed to be resolved.

Dr Salman Shah also asked the US government to reduce tariff on Pakistani textile products which would help generate jobs in the country.

US Ambassador to Pakistan Ryan C. Croker also accompanied the delegation, which included Sheela Jackson Lee, Joe Wilson, Jeff Miller, Richard Keller and Henry Gullar.

Briefing the delegation about Pakistan’s sustained economic growth, Dr Shah said the country possessed a vast potential for the US entrepreneurs to invest in various sectors including, power, energy, textile, oil, gas and coal. He particularly mentioned the textile sector, where, he said, great scope was available for the US investors.

Pakistan, he said, was placed in a strategic location and was the gateway to Central Asian republics. Trade between South Asia and Central Asia could be greatly augmented after the development of road and communication network, logistic facilities from Karachi to Central Asian states and establishment of oil and gas pipelines.

The adviser said Pakistan and the US should lay more emphasis on the promotion of bilateral trade and business relations as there were great opportunities for the enhancement of trade between the two countries.

The delegation appreciated the efforts of the Pakistani government for achieving high economic growth. They said the US would be exploring the possibilities of greater collaboration in the fields of oil, gas, power and manufacturing sectors. In their meeting with Pakistani dignitaries, they said, they would identify areas where trade and business could be enhanced. In the textile sector, they said, instead of becoming competitors, the US investors would like to go for joint ventures.