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Islamabad, June 25, 2013 (PPI-OT): Following is the text of the speech delivered by Federal Minister For Water and Power, Khawaja Muhammad Asif at Pakistan-USA Bilateral Business Opportunities Conference being held in Dubai:
Ambassador Olson, Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen
Assalam Alaikum and Good Morning!
On behalf of Government of Pakistan, I welcome you all and extend my best wishes and felicitation on the inauguration of second Pak US bilateral business opportunities conference in Dubai. I know this time of the year, most of us are busy in vacationing, however, today’s packed august house is witness to the seriousness and commitment on the part of Governments and Businessmen of Pakistan and the United States to give fillip to our mutual relationship especially trade, commerce and investment.
I have gone through the well-planned and structured conference schedule and am quite confident that this conference would facilitate business deals directly between U.S. and Pakistani companies and increase global awareness of Pakistani business opportunities. This Conference would also sustain the momentum created following our U.S.-Pakistan Business Opportunities Conference in London last October.
Ladies and Gentlemen!
Pakistan has recently witnessed a major transition, where one democratic elected government had completed its full term and after holding the general elections, transition to a new democratic government has been peacefully accomplished. This transition is momentous as it lends predictability and continuity to the economic and trade liberalization policies of our government for the future.
Our Government’s firm resolve is to accord top priority to promote trade, commerce and investment. United States has emerged as our largest trading partner besides a source of significant investments in Pakistan. We value our relationship with United States which is all encompassing. I may particularly highlight U.S cooperation in the fields of energy, agriculture and education and hope that in the days and months to come, our relationship will grow stronger and deeper.
Ladies and Gentlemen!
This conference would seek to highlight the innovations underway in Pakistan’s economy and aim to support high-growth areas, such as information technology, electricity generation, agribusiness, education, textiles, logistics, and cold chain storage to name a few. Conference organizers have invited potential U.S. investors to hear business pitches from Pakistani entrepreneurs seeking investments.
The conference would also deliberate as how to support emerging Pakistani entrepreneurs, small and medium businesses and non-traditional exporters. In addition, the presence of officials from both sides would provide opportunities for business-to-government communication on strengthening bilateral economic ties.
I am confident that we all will make the best out of this two-days conference. Lot of major American and Pakistani companies and investors have offices in Dubai. Their presence have indeed added value to our event. I am thankful to the participants of United States, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, whose presence today will surely lead to fostering not only business to government but also business to business relations and networking.
I am grateful to the organizers from the two sides whose efforts have made this conference happen. Their task however do not end here. We need to make sure our earnest follow-up on what we discuss and plan during these two days. Only such follow-up or let’s say after sales service would help us in achieving our goal of developing and promoting each other trade, commerce and investment.
I on behalf of Government of Pakistan also thank Mr. Raza Jafar with whose support and active cooperation, this Conference is made possible at the Capital Club.
With these words, I wish you the best of proceedings at the Conference.
Thank you!
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