Islamabad (GNP): Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh met with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker at the Board of Investment office in Islamabad on Thursday to discuss bilateral relations, economic cooperation, trade and investment prospects, business-to-business ties, and ways to further strengthen commercial engagement between the two nations.
The meeting was also attended by Secretary Board of Investment Jameel Ahmad Qureshi, Additional Secretary Zulfiqar Ali, Director Generals Abdul Samie and Mehmood Tufail, along with other senior officials.
Welcoming Baker, Sheikh acknowledged her contributions toward strengthening Pakistan-U.S. relations, emphasizing the significant value Pakistan places on its long-standing partnership with the United States. He noted that his primary role as Minister was to facilitate investors and build an environment where businesses could operate and grow more easily, highlighting the importance of deepening cooperation in trade, investment, technology, energy, agriculture, healthcare, education and other shared areas of interest.
Sheikh informed Baker of his upcoming trip to New York to attend the World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Development Impact Meetings 2026 (SDIM26), scheduled for September 21-24, describing it as an opportunity to engage global business leaders and showcase Pakistan’s investment potential.
The Minister praised Baker’s diplomatic contributions and said he intended to convey his appreciation for her work to U.S. President Donald Trump, expressing hope that her role could be expanded to further support bilateral ties. He also announced plans to host a formal dinner in her honor, recognizing her service in strengthening Pakistan-U.S. relations.
Reflecting on the historical significance of the bilateral relationship and Pakistan’s past role in facilitating major international diplomatic engagements, Sheikh stressed the need to build on this legacy through stronger economic and business connections, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue and constructive regional and international cooperation.
Baker, in turn, commended Sheikh’s vision and efforts to promote investment and improve Pakistan’s business climate, welcoming the regulatory reforms underway at the Board of Investment and noting their potential to create new opportunities for American companies.
The two discussed the considerable potential for expanding bilateral trade and investment, noting that total U.S.-Pakistan trade in goods and services reached approximately $11.5 billion in 2025. Sheikh outlined investment opportunities across sectors including mining and critical minerals, energy security, refinery modernization, oil storage infrastructure, agriculture and agritech, IT and digital services, healthcare, financial services, and consumer businesses, stressing Pakistan’s openness to partnerships that support industrialization, job creation, technology transfer and sustainable growth.
He pointed specifically to opportunities in agricultural modernization — including modern farming technology, food processing, cold-chain systems, irrigation, and value-added exports — alongside similar potential in mining, energy, ICT and healthcare where international capital and expertise could drive development. He also noted growing interest from overseas Pakistanis in domestic investment opportunities, with the Board of Investment working to support both foreign and diaspora investors.
Sheikh briefed Baker on the government’s regulatory reform agenda, noting that more than 550 reforms are underway to simplify processes and improve business accessibility. Additional Secretary Zulfiqar Ali explained the role of the Business Facilitation Centre (BFC), a single-window platform that consolidates government services for registration, licensing, and approvals. He noted that the Islamabad BFC had facilitated over Rs. 6.6 billion in investment and supported more than 20,000 jobs in its first year of operation.
Sheikh said such initiatives aim to reduce delays and create a more predictable, efficient interface between investors and government institutions, reiterating that investment facilitation remains central to the broader push for ease of doing business.
The discussion also touched on Pakistan’s investment framework and opportunities for greater U.S. corporate participation, with Sheikh emphasizing Pakistan’s interest in long-term partnerships and its readiness to support viable investment projects offering mutual benefit. In response to Baker’s questions about specific priority sectors, Sheikh said Pakistan welcomes investment broadly, with particular interest in projects that generate employment, boost exports, introduce modern technology, and add economic value.
Both sides acknowledged the absence of a bilateral investment treaty between the two countries, with Baker noting that U.S. officials are working with Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce on trade and tariff matters. Both parties stressed the importance of deepening economic engagement and expanding business-to-business opportunities.
Sheikh welcomed greater private-sector collaboration between the two countries, suggesting that stronger business ties could help translate diplomatic goodwill into practical commercial partnerships, and encouraged continued exploration of mutual economic interests.
He also invited Baker to visit his hometown of Chiniot, known for its woodworking craftsmanship and commercial heritage, and proposed exploring potential academic and business collaboration with FAST National University. Both sides agreed that university and private-sector partnerships could open further avenues for cooperation.
Sheikh reaffirmed his commitment to promoting investment and business facilitation, stressing that sustained public-private engagement — both domestically and internationally — would be key to unlocking Pakistan’s economic potential.
Also read: Malaysian HC, Serena Celebrate National Day with “Visit Malaysia 2026”
The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to continue engagement on investment facilitation, business-to-business cooperation, and broader efforts to strengthen Pakistan-U.S. economic relations. The Board of Investment reaffirmed its commitment to supporting domestic and foreign investors, advancing regulatory reform, and deepening Pakistan’s economic partnerships with the international business community, including the United States.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
