SIALKOT, Sept 27: The commercial consular of the US in Pakistan sees bright prospects for expansion of bilateral trade, describing the business environment in Pakistan as conducive to foreign investment.

Speaking at a meeting of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) after visiting the various industrial units here on Saturday, the US diplomat, Douglas Climan, said the US and Pakistan had been enjoying cordial trade relations since long and these ties would be further strengthened with the passage of time.

He said the economy was becoming strong due to positive economic policies of the Pakistan government. The economy, especially the macroeconomic growth, was now in a takeoff position, he added. The US diplomat stressed the need for creating awareness about this vital part of the economy among the business community as well as the people of Pakistan for obtaining positive results.

The US was an entirely changed world after 9/11, he observed, adding that Pakistan was an important ally of the US in the war against global terrorism.

He said that the US economy had been affected by 9/11. Education had been a profitable US export which was affected by 9/11 as the US lost thousands of foreign students.

Commenting on the problems faced by immigrants, he added that after 9/11 there was a considerable shift in the US visa policy, which had now become more time-consuming. The US commercial consular said that security had been beefed up at various airports of the US. After further improvement of the system the visa policy would be relaxed.

He appreciated the potential for growth in the Pakistan economy. He was of the view that the world was quite hopeful that Pakistan could effectively handle the situation after implementation of the WTO in 2005.

He said that the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) had a reputation for excellence in providing social and developmental services.

SCCI president Baber Iqbal said that in order to promote trade between the two countries, delegations should be exchanged.