ISLAMABAD, Oct 29: The US Exim Bank is exploring the possibilities of supporting export of US made locomotives, agricultural equipment and aircraft to Pakistan, said James Lambright, chairman and president (acting) of Exim Bank while talking to a group of media persons here on Saturday.

He said he had talked to a number of Pakistani bankers here to explore developing relationships with them so that “we could find opportunities to support US exports to their customers.”

He said he had also met several federal ministers, in particular the ministers of agriculture and railways, “these meetings were held to discuss opportunities for us to support the purchase of US agriculture equipment and locomotives. These were preliminary meetings.”

He said the minister of railways was looking at various options for importing 75 locomotives, “we believe ours may be more expensive but they are more reliable more fuel efficient and less costly to maintain.”

He said he had also met the PIA chairman and discussed with him the airline’s fleet renewal plan, “we are already working them in the past three years and look forward to working with them in future as well.”

According to Mr Lambright his bank is looking at extension of its commitment to support additional aircraft of 777 family airplane for PIA, “we are also exploring PIA’s long range route needs.”

The Exim bank has already supported an earlier purchase of a fleet of Boeings by PIA costing about a billion dollars. The transaction was spread over three years.

Mr Lambright said his bank would also be interested in supporting housing projects in Pakistan, “we have supported such projects in other countries as well.”

Discussing his meeting with President Musharraf, he said the president encouraged his bank to play a role in Pakistan’s earthquake related relief, recovery and reconstruction plans in the future.