ISLAMABAD: A delegation of 16 Pakistani entrepreneurs and business leaders is participating in the ‘SelectUSA Investment Summit’ that has opened in National Harbour, Maryland, to establish new connections and opportunities to grow through investing in the United States.

The four-day Investment Summit, which opened on Sunday, is the highest-profile event in the United States to facilitate business investment by connecting thousands of investors, companies, economic development organisations (EDOs), and industry experts to make deals happen.

US Charge d’ Affaires Natalie A. Baker, in a video statement issued on Monday, welcomed the Pakistani delegation’s participation in the summit, stating that strong economic ties are the heart of the US-Pakistan relationship.

“I look forward to helping Pakistani investors expand their global footprint in the United States,” the acting US envoy said.

“This is the premier event to promote foreign direct investment in the United States. By facilitating investment, innovation, and private sector collaboration, we can create jobs, drive growth, and build long-term prosperity for both our nations,” she said.

The summit is expected to draw around 6,000 attendees, including around 3,000 business investors from over 100 countries. It is a gateway to connecting directly with American leaders to identify investment opportunities across the US, Baker said.

Hosted by the US Department of Commerce, the SelectUSA Investment Summit is a one-stop shop for companies considering expanding to the US and provides EDOs with the opportunity to meet directly with international companies to facilitate investment deals.

Since its inception, the summit has attracted thousands of international companies and economic development representatives, generating over $256 billion in new US investment projects supporting more than 130,000 jobs across the United States and its territories.

The previous SelectUSA Investment Summit saw record-breaking numbers with more than 5,500 participants, including EDO representatives from 54 US states and territories and over 2,700 business investors from over 100 countries.

Islamabad’s trade surplus with Washington was around $3bn in 2024, mainly due to textile exports. The United States is Pakistan’s biggest market for textiles.

In February, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met with US Commerce Secretary Howard A. Lutnick in Washington, where the two sides expressed the desire to enhance economic cooperation, especially in the fields of trade and investment.

Earlier that month, Pakistan participated in the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial at the US Department of State, as Islamabad sought to expand foreign investment and forge strategic partnerships in the minerals and energy sectors.