ISLAMABAD, Oct 18: The US Assistant Trade Representative for South Asia, Ashley Wills, has said that the United States attaches great importance to its friendship with Pakistan, and desires enhanced trade and investment ties.

“We look forward to continue this friendship for ever, as the United States has benefited from this friendship, especially in the last few years,” Ashley Wills observed in his brief remarks at a dinner here on Friday night given in his honour by Commerce Minister, Humayun Akhtar Khan at a local hotel.

The dinner was attended among others by a number of Parliamentarians, US Ambassador to Pakistan Nancy Powell, Secretary Finance, Nawid Ahsan, Secretary Commerce, Kamal Afsar and senior officials of the ministry of commerce.

The US Assistant Trade Representative for South Asia further said that the United States desires to have increased trade and investment relations with Pakistan through enhanced market access for goods and services on bilateral basis.

“We want a significant increase in the current level of bilateral trade which is at $3.5 billion,” he added.

The US Assistant Trade Representative for South Asia appreciated the economic reforms policies of the government and its sustained efforts over the past few years, adding, “I have seen a big change in Pakistan.”

“Being a US President or a US politician is an extremely difficult job, but being a politician in South Asia is even more difficult,” he remarked.

Ashley Wills, while appreciating the talent of Pakistani people and the socio-economic improvement achieved during the past few years, wished the country prosperous and peaceful.

Humayun Akhtar, while welcoming the guest said, Ashley Wills has recently been appointed to this newly created position in which he will focus on US trade relations with South Asia.

Mr Wills has considerable experience of this region since he has served as the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and also held a position in the US Embassy in New Delhi, he added.

Mr Akhtar said, Pakistan’s exports to US registered 15 per cent increase last year, adding, we are continuing to seek further market access in the United States.—APP