ISLAMABAD: Bilateral trade between Pakistan and the United States (US) surpassed $10 billion last year, acting US Chargé d’Affaires Andy Halus said on Thursday, as Washington explored ways to strengthen investment and business ties with Islamabad at a two-day event.
Islamabad has sought to deepen its economic ties with Washington in recent years, particularly as relations improve under the second Donald Trump administration.
Acting US Chargé d’Affaires Andy Halus was speaking at the “Pakistan-US Alumni Network (PUAN) Economic Policy Challenge,” a two-day, case-based competition held by the US embassy in Islamabad.
The event brought together experts who explored ways for the country to build a more competitive, prosperous, and globally integrated economy.
“Bilateral trade between our countries reached over $10 billion last year, and the United States remains Pakistan’s largest single-country export market,” Halus said.
— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) September 10, 2026
The event brought together 70 PUAN alumni from across the country, along with six participants from Bangladesh, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka who travelled to take part in the challenge.
The teams tackled a range of complex economic policy issues, including attracting US investment, strengthening Pakistan’s global brand, improving global capital allocation, securing an affordable energy future and reforming the tax system.
The alumni teams also explored ways to strengthen institutional safeguards for foreign investment. Participants presented their recommendations to a panel of senior stakeholders, according to a statement issued by the US Embassy.
The US envoy said the challenge provided participants with an opportunity to develop practical recommendations aimed at building a more prosperous and globally integrated Pakistani economy.
“We are proud of how the core values of the United States influence the future for the better,” Halus said.
Pakistan’s economic development
Earlier, Minister for the Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, addressing the gathering, emphasised the importance of transforming knowledge, research and policy ideas into practical solutions for Pakistan’s economic development.
The minister observed that sound assessment of economic and business challenges was essential for developing effective policy responses.
He said that the knowledge and expertise acquired by the participants through their academic and professional journeys should now be utilised to address real-world challenges and contribute to policymaking and economic development.
The minister appreciated the contribution of the United States towards Pakistan and noted the longstanding people-to-people, educational and professional linkages between the two countries.
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Pakistan has been actively seeking to attract foreign investment as it works towards achieving macroeconomic stability and sustainable economic growth in the coming years. In 2023, the government established the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a one-window platform aimed at streamlining approvals and facilitating foreign investment.
