Obama administration vows to push for preferential trade programme with Pakistan

WASHINGTON - The US administration has vowed to redouble its efforts for getting Congressional approval on a preferential trade programme for Pakistan, under which products manufactured in designated zones can be brought duty-free to America.

“The US is committed to redoubling its efforts to seek Congressional enactment of legislation to create reconstruction opportunity zones and for the establishment of an enterprise fund,” the Daily Times quoted a joint US-Pakistan statement released at the conclusion of the three-day strategic dialogue, as saying.

The latest round of the dialogue was co-headed by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

Both sides sought to work closely and collaboratively with the international donor community and financial institutions to extend economic assistance to Pakistan.

Clinton and Qureshi expressed satisfaction on the progress made in the strategic dialogue process.

The ministerial dialogue was preceded by sectoral track engagement on agriculture, communications and public diplomacy, defence, energy, finance and economic cooperation, health, law enforcement and counter-terrorism, water, and women’s empowerment.

According to the joint statement, the sectoral meetings covered a wide range of subjects with a clear focus on socio-economic development and the establishment of a mutually beneficial partnership.

The US and Pakistan emphasised that a “democratic, progressive, and prosperous Pakistan was in the interest of the US, the region, and the world”, the statement said.

The two countries “renewed their resolve to promoting peace, stability, and transparency throughout the region and to eliminate the threats posed by terrorism and extremism,” it added. (ANI)