KARACHI, Oct 11: Economic Counsellor of the US Embassy in Islamabad, Douglas Climan, has said that the business community in America is highly appreciative of the economic reforms undertaken by the present government in Pakistan.

He was talking to members of the Federation of the Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Friday. He said that he saw further scope for investments by US companies in Pakistan in the sectors of energy, petroleum, electricity distribution, telecom, information technology and financial services.

Acting FPCCI president, Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed, vice-presidents Haroon Rashid and Tariq Sayeed, former president Sardar M. Ashraf Khan, members managing committee, Ali Ashraf Khan, chairman Pak-USA Trade and Industry Committee, Abdul Shakoor Khatri, and chairperson Standing Committee on Women entrepreneurs of the FPCCI, Mrs Arjumand A. Qazi were also present on the occasion.

The meeting held discussion on a wide range of issues in perspective of Pakistan-USA commercial and economic relations

Douglas Climan underlined the need for long-term and sustained growth in Pakistani exports to the USA.

It was noted that the formation of Pakistan-USA Business Council was a milestone and provided a useful forum for the private sectors of both the countries to move forward and further consolidate bilateral commercial relations and motivate American entrepreneurs to invest in potential sectors in Pakistan.

The FPCCI members appri-sed the US economic counsellor of the expectations of the private sector in Pakistan with regard to the increased access of its textile and other value-added products in American markets, removal of condition of verification from the USA for grant of visas to businessmen and non-issuance of negative travel advice.

The FPCCI members suggested that the US Embassy should arrange the visit of top US companies to Pakistan so that they could see for themselves the possibilities of investment and remove any security apprehensions from their minds.

It was also urged that the US companies be encouraged the purchase the organizations offered for privatization by the government.—APP