ISLAMABAD, JUL 12 /DNA/ – The All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF) has welcomed the significant progress made in negotiations between Pakistan and the United States on a proposed Reciprocal Trade Agreement, describing it as an encouraging development that could strengthen bilateral trade, attract fresh investment and create new opportunities for Pakistani exporters.
APBF President Syed Maaz Mahmood said the positive momentum in the talks reflects growing confidence in Pakistan’s economic potential and demonstrates both countries’ commitment to expanding commercial ties beyond traditional trade. He said an early conclusion of the agreement would help improve market access for Pakistani products, enhance export competitiveness and support sustainable economic growth.
He observed that the United States remains Pakistan’s largest single-country export destination, making stronger trade relations essential for increasing foreign exchange earnings, generating employment and promoting industrial expansion. He expressed hope that the negotiations would result in a balanced agreement that benefits businesses in both countries while ensuring greater access for Pakistani value-added products.
Syed Maaz Mahmood said reducing tariff barriers and resolving regulatory issues would provide a significant boost to Pakistan’s export-oriented sectors, particularly textiles, information technology, surgical instruments, sports goods, leather products, engineering goods, agricultural products and other value-added industries. He added that easier market access would encourage manufacturers to expand production, improve quality standards and invest in modern technologies to meet growing international demand.
APBF Chairman Ibrahim Qureshi said the progress achieved during the Washington negotiations sends a positive message to the international business community that Pakistan is actively pursuing constructive economic diplomacy and building stronger commercial partnerships with leading economies.
The APBF president said the inclusion of cooperation in energy, information technology, mining and investment demonstrates that the proposed agreement extends well beyond conventional trade. He noted that enhanced collaboration in these sectors could help Pakistan diversify its economy, strengthen industrial capacity and attract long-term foreign direct investment.
He emphasized that Pakistan’s improving macroeconomic indicators, ongoing structural reforms and increasing focus on export-led growth have created a favourable environment for expanding trade with major global partners. According to him, stronger economic engagement with the United States would further enhance investor confidence and reinforce Pakistan’s position as an emerging destination for regional trade and investment.
Ibrahim Qureshi said greater trade cooperation should be accompanied by measures to facilitate investment, encourage technology transfer and promote joint ventures between Pakistani and American companies. Such partnerships, he said, would enable local industries to enhance productivity, improve product quality and integrate more effectively into global value chains.
Both APBF leaders expressed confidence that the positive progress made during the negotiations would pave the way for the early conclusion of the reciprocal trade agreement, opening a new chapter in Pakistan-US economic relations. They reaffirmed the business community’s support for government efforts aimed at expanding exports, attracting foreign investment, strengthening industrial competitiveness and promoting sustainable, export-led economic growth through stronger international partnerships.
