The business community believes that US President Barack Obama in his second term should provide direct access to Pakistani products in US markets, at zero duty, for strengthening our economy that suffered colossal losses since 9/11 debacle. Founder Chairman Pak-US Business Council and Vice President SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Pakistan chapter, Iftikhar Ali Malik greeting Barack Obama on his second time victory as US President said this while talking to APP here on Friday. He stressed that President US Chamber of Commerce (USCC) Thomas Donohue and EU had also fully supported Pakistan’s long standing demand of duty-free imports of Pak products on urgent basis. He said in past the USCC Chief in his letter had also strongly urged US President Barrack Obama to help flood-ravaged Pakistan by getting Congress to pass stalled legislation that would allow duty-free imports of selected Pakistani products. The world candidly acknowledged several times that Pakistan is the only country of the globe that suffered trillions of dollars’ losses since 9/11, he added. He said that US President Barack Obama on the occasion of 9/11 last year had announced 440 trillion dollar package for his country, adding that he should also has announced incentives for quick revival of Pak economy as the country suffered vast loss of lives, besides destruction of infrastructure and displacement of millions of people during efforts to stamp out terrorism from the region He said that 4500 valiant troops of Pakistan armed forces laid down their lives in the war against terrorism and more than 35000 innocent people lost their lives in suicide attacks. “At least the US President must announce free market access to Pak products as already promised by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during her last visit to Pakistan”. Pakistan has sustained loss of at least $4 trillion including $ 200 billion to its economic sector in the aftermath of 9/11 and turmoil in Afghanistan”, said Iftikhar Ali Malik. He said,”The US should buy back products from industrial zones in Pakistan and strengthen the existing industrial zones with the provision of modern infrastructure.” He stressed that there is vast scope for US private sector investors in every sector, particularly in the agro power and IT sectors, adding that the US Chamber of Commerce (USCC) can play a pivotal role in promoting bilateral trade relations. “Pakistan is an emerging market rich in opportunities for American investment, while the US is already an important trading partner”, he said.
