ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Thursday that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project would spur regional economic integration and bring about prosperity in the region.

Addressing a delegation of the US-Pakistan Business Council at the PM House, he said the project was a sign of growing confidence in Pakistan’s economy and its future potential.

Pakistan’s robust macroeconomic indicators speak for themselves. “Having suffered the ravages of terrorism for years, we, as a nation, have decided to put an end to it, whatever the cost. Our comprehensive counter-terrorism operation, Zarb-i-Azb, is yielding encouraging results. The year 2015 witnessed the lowest number of terror attacks since 2007. We will make every effort that this trend continues to its logical conclusion,” he said.

He asked the council to play its role in urging US lawmakers to give importance to providing preferential market access to Pakistani goods.

He expressed the confidence that the council would continue to share with the larger US business community positive experiences of doing business with and investing in Pakistan.

Pakistan is among the few places in the world which offer the promise of resources, geography and people, all at the same time. “Increasing urbanisation, favourable demographics, a growing middle class and economically empowered women and youths are some of the key drivers of growth.”

The prime minister said Pakistan had one of the most attractive investment regimes in the world, which allowed foreign investors 100 per cent repatriation of profits and easy convertibility into foreign exchange.

“We believe that a vibrant private sector is essential to a government’s ability to provide the best possible services to its citizens. My government is committed to providing an enabling environment, sustained by institutional structures that facilitate and allow the private sector to flourish.”

Mr Sharif said the US remained one of the most important economic and trading partners of Pakistan. “Leading US companies have invested billions of dollars in Pakistan and are making healthy profits.”

The 14-member delegation included Chairman of the US-Pakistan Business Council, Miles Young, and Vice Chairman Mehmood Khan. US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale was also present.

Mr Sharif said the US Chamber of Commerce epitomised American enterprise and dynamism. Through the US-Pakistan Business Council, the chamber has been a close and trusted partner of Pakistan and has made commendable efforts to promote business-to-business collaboration between the two countries.

He thanked Mr Young and his team for their efforts in this regard and expressed the confidence that the visit would go a long way in opening up new avenues for trade and investment between Pakistan and the US.

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2016