ISLAMABAD ( WNAM REPORT ): Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh held a meeting with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker at the Board of Investment in Islamabad on Thursday to discuss Pakistan–U.S. bilateral relations, economic cooperation, trade and investment opportunities, business-to-business linkages and avenues for further strengthening commercial engagement between the two countries.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Board of Investment Jameel Ahmad Qureshi, Additional Secretary Zulfiqar Ali, Director General Abdul Samie, Director General Mehmood Tufail and other senior officials of the Board of Investment.
Welcoming Natalie Baker, Federal Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh appreciated her contribution towards strengthening Pakistan–U.S. relations and said that Pakistan attached great importance to its longstanding relationship with the United States. He emphasized that, as Federal Minister for Board of Investment, his primary responsibility was to facilitate investors and create an environment in which businesses could operate and expand with greater ease.
The Federal Minister highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, technology, energy, agriculture, healthcare, education and other areas of mutual interest. He said Pakistan and the United States were two important nations with significant potential for deeper economic and commercial cooperation.
Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh also informed Natalie Baker about his upcoming visit to New York next week to participate in the World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Development Impact Meetings 2026 (SDIM26), being held from September 21–24, 2026. He said the international forum would provide an opportunity to engage with global business leaders, present Pakistan’s investment potential and explore avenues for enhanced international investment and economic cooperation.
The Federal Minister appreciated Natalie Baker’s diplomatic role and contribution towards strengthening Pakistan–U.S. relations and expressed his intention to convey his appreciation of her performance and achievements to U.S. President Donald Trump. He also expressed the hope that her role and responsibilities could be elevated in a manner that would enable her to contribute further towards strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation between the two countries.
Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh further announced his intention to host a grand dinner in honour of Natalie Baker in recognition of her diplomatic services, performance and contribution towards strengthening Pakistan–U.S. relations.
The Federal Minister recalled the historical importance of Pakistan–U.S. relations and Pakistan’s role in facilitating important international diplomatic engagements in the past. He emphasized the need to build on this legacy by developing stronger economic and business linkages. Referring to evolving international developments, he said Pakistan remained committed to supporting dialogue and finding constructive avenues for greater regional and international cooperation.
Natalie Baker appreciated Federal Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh’s vision, wisdom and efforts in promoting investment and improving Pakistan’s business environment. She welcomed the regulatory reforms being undertaken by the Board of Investment and noted that improvements in the business and investment environment could create greater opportunities for U.S. companies interested in Pakistan.
The two sides discussed the considerable potential for increased bilateral trade and investment. Total U.S.–Pakistan trade in goods and services was estimated at approximately US$11.5 billion in 2025, reflecting the substantial economic relationship between the two countries.
Federal Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh highlighted investment opportunities in a broad range of sectors, including mining and critical minerals, energy security, refinery modernization, oil storage and related infrastructure, agriculture and agritech, information technology and digital services, healthcare, financial services, consumer businesses and franchising. He said Pakistan was open to investment across sectors and was seeking to develop partnerships that could contribute to industrialization, employment, technology transfer and sustainable economic growth.
The Minister said that modernization of Pakistan’s agricultural sector offered significant opportunities for international investors, particularly in modern farming technologies, food processing, storage, cold-chain systems, irrigation, agricultural machinery and value-added exports. Similarly, opportunities existed in mining, energy, ICT, healthcare and other sectors where international expertise, capital and technology could contribute to Pakistan’s economic development.
The Federal Minister also highlighted the growing interest of overseas Pakistanis in exploring investment opportunities in the country and said the Board of Investment was working to facilitate both foreign investors and Pakistanis living abroad.
Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh briefed the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires on the regulatory reform agenda being pursued to improve the ease of doing business and reduce unnecessary procedural and regulatory barriers. He said more than 550 reforms were being pursued across relevant areas to simplify processes and make government services more accessible to businesses and investors.
Additional Secretary Zulfiqar Ali briefed Natalie Baker on the functioning of the Business Facilitation Centre (BFC), which provides businesses and investors with coordinated access to government services through a single-window platform. The BFC brings relevant ministries and departments together under one roof for registration, licensing, certificates, approvals and other business-related services. The Islamabad BFC facilitated more than Rs. 6.6 billion in investment and supported more than 20,000 employment opportunities during its first year of operations.
The Federal Minister said such initiatives were intended to reduce delays, simplify procedures and provide investors with a more predictable and efficient interface with government institutions. He reiterated that investment facilitation and regulatory reform remained closely linked to the government’s broader objective of improving the ease of doing business.
The meeting also covered Pakistan’s investment framework and opportunities for greater participation by U.S. companies. Federal Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh emphasized that Pakistan sought long-term partnerships with international investors and was prepared to facilitate viable investment projects in areas offering mutual economic benefit.
During the discussion, Natalie Baker inquired about specific investment projects and sectors being prioritized by the Board of Investment. The Federal Minister said Pakistan welcomed investment across sectors and that the government was particularly interested in projects capable of generating employment, strengthening exports, introducing modern technology and contributing to value-added economic activity.
The two sides also discussed the absence of a bilateral investment treaty between Pakistan and the United States. Natalie Baker noted that the U.S. side was working with the Ministry of Commerce on trade and tariff-related arrangements. Both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening economic engagement and creating greater opportunities for business-to-business cooperation.
The Federal Minister welcomed greater U.S.–Pakistan business-to-business engagement and said that stronger interaction between private sectors could translate bilateral goodwill into practical commercial partnerships. He said the two countries should continue exploring avenues for economic cooperation and supporting each other in areas of mutual interest.
Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh also invited Natalie Baker to visit Chiniot, his hometown, highlighting the city’s renowned woodwork and commercial heritage. He also proposed exploring linkages with FAST National University, including possibilities for academic, technology and business-to-business cooperation. Both sides agreed that university and private-sector partnerships could open additional avenues for collaboration.
The Federal Minister reiterated his commitment to serving the country and promoting investment and business facilitation. He said Pakistan had immense potential and that sustained engagement between the public and private sectors, both domestically and internationally, was essential for translating this potential into concrete economic opportunities.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue engagement on investment facilitation, business-to-business cooperation and avenues for stronger Pakistan–U.S. economic relations.
The Board of Investment remains committed to facilitating domestic and foreign investors, advancing regulatory reforms, improving the ease of doing business and strengthening Pakistan’s economic and investment partnerships with international business communities, including the United States.
