BAHAWALPUR, March 6: The US ambassador to Pakistan Ryan C. Crocker on Tuesday said that his country was committed to finding ways to broaden commercial ties with Pakistan and the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) represented an important first step in “our growing economic relationship, which will enhance American investor’s confidence in Pakistan.”

He stated this while speaking at a function held in his honour by the Bahawalpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Tuesday.

He said that the United States had provided three billion dollars for strengthening the economic sector and security system of Pakistan during the last five years.

He said that United States had also provided an assistance of $500million for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of earthquake-affected areas of Pakistan and in addition to this a proposal to create Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) in the earthquake zone.

Appreciating the quality of Pakistanis mangoes grown in Bahawalpur region, the US ambassador announced to take measures for exporting the fruit to the Untied States next year.—APP