ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of United States to Pakistan, Cameron Munter said Wednesday that extremism in Pakistan can be appeased by creating opportunities for the people of the country.
Speaking here at a farewell party given in his honour by Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), the US Ambassador termed extremism as the biggest hindrance in way of foreign investment in the country saying the extremism can be stopped by creating business opportunities to the people in the country.
Secretary Commerce Zafar Mehmood was also present on the occasion.
"Pakistan is a country of over 180 million population with huge business potentials. The business leaders in Pakistan can help mitigate extremism by making opportunities for the people", Cameron Munter remarked.
Munter expressed the hope that businessmen can help improving the political relationship of the two countries. He said the business relationship still exists between Pakistan and US.
"Businessmen of the two countries are going to be the backbone of Pakistan-US relationship", he remarked.
He said the commercial relationships are already strong as in 2011 volume of trade between the two countries remained over $ 5 billion.
He said currently US businessmen are engaged in doing business in
Pakistan in energy, construction, aerospace, information and food processing sectors.
"We have much more to offer and there is great room for other areas such as Information Technology and other service areas.
He added that efforts of being made to enhance market access to Pakistani products in US markets to further boost the trade relations between the two country.
He maintained that his country wanted to connect US business with Pakistan business "but US image in Pakistan is very negative, people here are extremely skeptical whether Americans are sincere with Pakistanis".
He said Pakistan should also encourage women and youth of the country to come forward and involve in small and medium entrepreneurship.
Earlier in his welcome address, Asad Farid, acting President of ICCI said during his tenure, Cameroon Munter had played very dynamic and energetic role in improving bilateral relations.
He urged the US investors to find public-private partnership between the two countries to improve bilateral trade ties.
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