The prime minister said the government is ready to give security to all sorts of investment being made by the US businessmen in power and energy sectors. The adequate power generation was the top priority of the government to ensure smooth functioning of industrial units, business centers, and trade establishments.
There is an urgent need for strengthening economic and trade ties with United States in various fields, including power, education, and defence sectors. Gilani highlighted the significance of bilateral relations between Pakistan and United States, which needed to be enhanced for the mutual benefit of two countries. He invited the US companies to invest in Pakistan and assured them of full security to be provided to their investment money.
He said Pakistan's economy was facing numerous challenges, including adjustment in fiscal revenue and oil prices, targeting the inflation trend, and improving better demand and supply management. Gilani said Pakistan's geographical location can help it emerge as a growing economy if proper economic measures were taken in time.
He said the government was making investor-friendly policies and providing incentives to the foreign businessmen to attract investment in the power sector from all over the world.
He referred to the Roundtable Energy Conference, organised by the World Bank in Washington aimed at attracting investment to Pakistan's Thar Coal Project for power generation, which, he said, received huge response by US power companies that would help the country overcome the crisis.
For the ongoing food and energy crisis, Gilani said the government was considering focusing on strengthening agricultural infrastructure to ensure self-sufficiency and exploit the country's coal reserves to meet energy requirements.
He said we were compelled to take some unpopular decisions in terms of increasing electricity and fuel tariffs, for the overall betterment of the country's economy.
Myron Brilliant, vice-president, Asia US Chamber of Commerce, in his address of welcome, said the focus of interaction with Prime Minister Gilani with businessmen was on strengthening economic relations between the two countries and seeking opportunities of trade in various fields.
Jay Collins, CEO, Public Sector Group Citi, said though Pakistan was facing difficult economic times, the interaction between the business communities of two countries would help it overcome such problems. David Chavern, executive vice-president and chief operating officer also spoke on improving trade ties between Pakistan and United States.