US state dept official praises Pakistan’s minerals forum, hospitality

ISLAMABAD: Senior Bureau Official (SBO) for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Eric Meyer, has issued a statement on his visit to Pakistan.

He said, “I’m thrilled to be here in Islamabad to experience Pakistan’s wonderful hospitality, attend the Minerals Investment Forum, and to strengthen and promote our important partnership.”

He also commended Pakistan for convening the Minerals Investment Forum in Islamabad and for taking steps to ensure a level playing field for investors. “Critical minerals are the raw materials for our most important technologies, and President Trump has underscored the importance of securing America’s minerals future,” he said.

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The SBO shared that although the US delegation is in Islamabad to focus on minerals, Meyer also wants to speak about other recent successes in US-Pakistan economic partnership. “We recently celebrated the return of US soybean exports to Pakistan. Four vessels carrying more than 260,000 tons of soybeans have arrived over the last few weeks. It’s a win-win for US exporters and for Pakistanis alike, and we look forward to more such wins in the future,” he said.

Meyer said, “What makes me most optimistic about the US-Pakistan partnership is that our cooperation is based on the close and enduring ties between our peoples. So many of you have studied in the United States, participated in our exchange programs, have family, friends and business partners in the US. I’m looking forward to working with each of you as we work together to lead the charge in deepening the partnership between the US and Pakistan.”

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