Pakistan will formally bring the U.S. Pakistan Business Alliance (USPBA) under the regulatory framework of the Board of Investment (BOI), a strategic move aimed at strengthening institutional coordination and attracting greater U.S. private-sector investment into key sectors of the economy.
Federal Minister for the Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh outlined the development while addressing a gathering of business leaders, diplomats, and investors in Islamabad. He said the registration of USPBA with the BOI is expected to streamline engagement between U.S. investors and Pakistani authorities, as both sides work to expand trade and investment ties.
Sheikh emphasized Pakistan’s strategic geographic position linking South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and China, describing it as a key advantage for regional trade and supply chains. He added that economic engagement between Pakistan and the United States is gaining momentum, creating space for deeper commercial cooperation.
The minister highlighted investment opportunities in minerals and mining, including rare earth elements, as well as in technology, energy, and industrial manufacturing. These sectors have been identified by the government as priorities for foreign direct investment amid efforts to diversify exports and reduce dependence on imports.
Sheikh also pointed to the improving sentiment in Pakistan’s equity market, noting that rising participation reflects growing confidence in macroeconomic stability following fiscal and regulatory reforms. The country’s benchmark stock index has posted strong gains in recent months, supported by expectations of monetary easing and an improving external account.
To support investors, the BOI’s Business Facilitation Center is providing a one-window platform to reduce procedural bottlenecks. In addition, ongoing regulatory reforms and the Asaan Karobar Act aim to improve the ease of doing business for both domestic and foreign companies.
The event was attended by FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh, Haroon Akhtar Khan of SPMA, officials from the U.S. Embassy, and representatives from the business community. Sheikh also welcomed a delegation of Yale University students visiting Pakistan, highlighting academic exchanges as a potential catalyst for future trade and investment linkages.
The BOI reiterated its role as the government’s lead agency for investment promotion, focusing on translating improving investor sentiment into sustained capital inflows and job creation across key sectors of the economy.
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