November 23, 2006	Thursday	Ziqa'ad 1, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 22: US Ambassador to Pakistan Ryan C. Crocker said on Wednesday that his government was seriously considering to lay down a framework for Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) to spur development of economically disadvantaged areas in the border regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Addressing businessmen at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), the ambassadora said that the establishment of opportunity zones would help increase bilateral trade between the two countries. However, he did not give any timeframe for the completion of the framework.

Mr Crocker said that the US wanted to develop long-term strategic relations and partnership in various areas and highlighted various initiatives, which the US government had taken for the economic growth of Pakistan.

The envoy said that for the growth of trade, there was a significant progress on the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) and emphasised regular exchange of business delegation to know exactly about the available business opportunity in each other’s market.

ICCI president Nasir Khan said that the US was by far Pakistan’s leading export market and Pakistan’s primary exports included cotton, textiles and apparel.