US State Department spokesman Ned Price has said that strong trade and economic relations between Pakistan and the United States are the need of the hour as Pakistan recovers from devastating floods.
During a press briefing in Washington on Thursday, US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said that the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council ministerial meeting hosted by the US Trade Representative Ambassador Tai exemplified American commitment to deepening economic and commercial ties with Pakistan.
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“We believe that a robust trade relationship between the United States and Pakistan is more important than ever to bolster Pakistan’s economic stability as it recovers from devastating floods, while at the same time also providing an opportunity to Americans and to American businesses in this country, exposing them to new markets — Pakistani markets in this case,” said Spokesperson State department.
The US trade relationship with Pakistan has helped both Pakistani industries and consumers, he said, adding, “We have long been Pakistan’s largest export market, with potential for even further growth.”
Ned Price said that more than 120,000 Pakistani employees are employed in 80 American companies. “United States is ready to further expand economic ties with Pakistan.”
Ned Price said the United States (US) emerged as the biggest investor in Pakistan in the last two decades.
While talking about rising terrorism in Pakistan Ned price said Afghan Taliban have to fulfill their promises. The Taliban should ensure that ISIS, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and others do not disturb peace in the region, the US State Department spokesperson said.
“The United States and Pakistan have a shared interest in ensuring the Taliban live up to the commitments that they have made, and that terrorist groups that may be active in Afghanistan — like Daesh, TTP, al-Qaida, are no longer able to threaten regional stability,” he asserted.
Price said the United States is closely monitoring the situation in Afghanistan and called on the Taliban to uphold the very commitment they have made to see to it that Afghan soil is never again used as a launchpad for international terrorist attacks.
