Ambassador Masood Khan has urged US investors and Pakistani diaspora to take
Pakistan as the emerging market and to invest their excess capacity for reaping huge economic
dividends. This, he said, would create a win-win partnership for the two countries, says a press release received here today from Washington DC.
“Part of my mission is to explore avenues for US investments in Pakistan”, stated the
Ambassador.
He was addressing business leaders, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, members of
prestigious US think tank Asia Society and Pakistani community at various occasions during the
third day of his visit to Houston, the business hub of the United States.
Ambassador Khan said that United States was the biggest trading partner of Pakistan.
“Last year, our exports to the United States were $5 billion. This year we have crossed the $7
billion mark.” He noted that Pakistani exports of goods and services to the US have witnessed an
exponential growth of more than 40% this year.
Discussing multifaceted Pak-US ties, Ambassador Masood Khan said that Pakistan has
been a steadfast ally of the United States. “We have been partners in peace-keeping, peace-
building and peace-making. Our partnership has contributed towards making the world safer,”
continued the Ambassador.
Addressing Pakistani American community, the Ambassador said that we all have to
work together to dispel misperceptions about Pakistan in the United States; remove misgivings
about United States, and finally make Pakistan strong economically.
“You are a strong bridge between Pakistan and the United States and you have done well
here. Most of the Pakistani entrepreneurs in the United States have excess capacity. They have
excess wealth and this can be invested in Pakistan. It would strengthen the relationship between
the two countries,” said Ambassador Masood Khan.
During his four-day visit to Houston, the Ambassador has been interacting with business
leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, congressmen and members of Pakistani diaspora based in
Texas State.
On Wednesday, the Ambassador had a luncheon meeting with the leading investors and
entrepreneurs where he highlighted huge potential of Pak economy which has remained untapped
so far in various fields including petroleum, agriculture, livestock, green and alternate energy,
climate change, healthcare, semi-conductors and tech sector.
The Ambassador pointed out that the United Stated was already investing in Pakistan. “In
the tech sector, for instance, we have earned about $700 million in past 18 months alone. The
momentum comes directly from the United States; from the Bay Area; from Houston, and in
other parts of the United States.”
The Ambassador said that Pakistan was ready with its infrastructure to receive US
investments. We have the necessary wherewithal in the shape of easy and accessible ports,
integrated rail road network and most importantly an enterprising young population to become a
self-sustaining hub of commercial and economic activities in the region. “Our regulatory regime
has been eased to provide maximum facilitation and benefits to the investors,” continued the
Ambassador.
Later, the Ambassador visited Texas chapter of prestigious Asia Society and interacted
with members of think tank, policy experts, academicians and businessmen.
The Ambassador also visited Community Clinic set up by Ibne Sina Foundation under
Muslim Health initiative. He also attended a dinner hosted by the Foundation where he addressed
a large number of healthcare and medical professionals, philanthropists and business leaders.
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