ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States on Thursday discussed expanding bilateral economic and investment cooperation, with Islamabad highlighting investment opportunities for US companies in critical minerals, energy, agriculture, information technology, healthcare and other key sectors.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh and US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker at the Board of Investment in Islamabad, where the two sides reviewed trade and investment opportunities, business-to-business linkages and measures to deepen commercial engagement.
🇵🇰🇺🇸 Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh met U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker in Islamabad to discuss Pakistan–U.S. economic cooperation, investment opportunities and stronger business-to-business ties, along with Regulatory Reforms and BFC. pic.twitter.com/8VENWiAENU
— Board of Investment, Pakistan (@investinpak) September 17, 2026
Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh said Pakistan attached great importance to its longstanding relationship with the United States and stressed the need to translate bilateral goodwill into stronger economic and business partnerships.
The minister highlighted investment opportunities in mining and critical minerals, energy security, refinery modernisation, oil storage and related infrastructure, agriculture and agritech, IT and digital services, healthcare, financial services, consumer businesses and franchising.
Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh said Pakistan was seeking long-term international investment partnerships that could promote industrialisation, create employment, facilitate technology transfer and boost sustainable economic growth.
He particularly highlighted opportunities in the agricultural sector, including modern farming technologies, food processing, storage, cold-chain systems, irrigation, agricultural machinery and value-added exports.
The meeting also focused on Pakistan’s ongoing regulatory reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business and removing procedural barriers. Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh said more than 550 reforms were being pursued to simplify processes and improve access to government services for businesses and investors.
Additional Secretary Zulfiqar Ali briefed the US diplomat on the Business Facilitation Centre (BFC), a single-window platform bringing relevant government departments under one roof for registrations, licences, certificates, approvals and other business-related services.
According to the Board of Investment, the Islamabad BFC facilitated more than Rs6.6 billion in investment and supported over 20,000 employment opportunities during its first year of operations.
The two sides also discussed bilateral trade and investment, with total U.S.-Pakistan trade in goods and services estimated at around $11.5 billion in 2025.
Natalie Baker welcomed the regulatory reforms being undertaken by the Board of Investment and noted that improvements in Pakistan’s business and investment environment could create greater opportunities for US companies.
She also inquired about specific sectors and investment projects being prioritised by the Board of Investment.
The discussion also covered the absence of a bilateral investment treaty between Pakistan and the United States.
Baker said the US side was working with the Ministry of Commerce on trade and tariff-related arrangements.
The minister welcomed increased US-Pakistan business-to-business engagement, saying stronger interaction between the private sectors of the two countries could help develop practical commercial partnerships.
Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh also briefed Baker about his upcoming visit to New York to attend the World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Development Impact Meetings 2026, scheduled for September 21-24.
He said the forum would provide an opportunity to present Pakistan’s investment potential and engage global business leaders.
The minister appreciated Baker’s diplomatic contribution to Pakistan-US relations and said he intended to convey his appreciation of her performance and achievements to US President Donald Trump.
He also announced plans to host a grand dinner in Baker’s honour in recognition of her diplomatic services and contribution to strengthening bilateral relations.
The meeting also touched upon cooperation in technology, energy, agriculture, healthcare and education. Sheikh invited Baker to visit Chiniot, his hometown, and highlighted opportunities linked to the city’s woodwork and commercial heritage.
He also proposed exploring academic, technology and business linkages with FAST National University.
The two sides agreed to maintain engagement on investment facilitation, business-to-business cooperation and avenues for further strengthening Pakistan-US economic relations.
