Home Diplomatic Over 120,000 Pakistanis are directly employed by U.S. Companies

Over 120,000 Pakistanis are directly employed by U.S. Companies

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Over 120,000 Pakistanis are directly employed by U.S. Companies

Ambassador Blome meets with financial and business leaders, representatives of the American Business Council and the Pakistan Business Council, textile and energy executives, and business journalists.

Karachi

U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome visited Karachi June 14 to 15 to underscore the strong bilateral ties between Pakistan and the United States and to further strengthen our robust economic partnership and bilateral trade.  During his visit, Ambassador Blome met with financial and business leaders, representatives of the American Business Council and the Pakistan Business Council, textile and energy executives, and business journalists.

“I am glad to be here in Karachi, a city of tremendous energy and diversity,” said Ambassador Blome.  “I look forward to visiting often to strengthen U.S-Pakistan partnerships in trade, investment, education, energy, health, security, and other mutually beneficial priorities.”

A highlight of Ambassador Blome’s time in Karachi was striking the opening gong at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), accompanied by PSX Chairperson Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, Managing Director Farrukh Khan, and representatives from U.S. companies listed on the stock exchange.  Speaking at the event, Ambassador Blome stated, “It is a pleasure to visit PSX for the gong ceremony.  My visit symbolizes the United States’ strong economic partnership with Pakistan and our commitment that our ties will continue to flourish.”

Ambassador-US-Sindh-Courier-2In his meetings with industry leaders, the American Business Council, and the Pakistan Business Council, Ambassador Blome discussed how the United States and Pakistan can continue to work together to facilitate broad-based, equitable, and sustainable economic growth for both nations.  He also met with energy executives to discuss how the U.S. government, U.S. companies, and their local partners are contributing to the development of Pakistan’s energy supply.  He then met with textile and apparel business leaders to discuss opportunities in one of the leading sectors of U.S.-Pakistan trade.

“As the United States and Pakistan commemorate 75 years of partnership, I want our robust economic relationship to be front and center,” said Ambassador Blome.  Noting that bilateral trade reached nearly $9 billion in 2021, the Ambassador further stated, “It is a relationship worth highlighting and is bigger and more important than ever.”  The United States is Pakistan’s largest export market and one of the largest sources of foreign investment.  U.S. companies and their local affiliates are among Pakistan’s largest employers, with roughly 80 U.S. companies directly employing more than 120,000 Pakistanis.

Ambassador-US-Sindh-CourierAmbassador Blome is dedicated to further deepening the ties between the Pakistani and American people to promote a more stable, secure, and prosperous future for the United States and Pakistan.  The Ambassador noted that once he formally presents his credentials, he looks forward to returning to Karachi to meet with government officials and lay a wreath at Mazar-e-Quaid in honor of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the foundation he set for the continued partnership between our two nations.

USAID and Sindh Govt. Commemorate Community Engagement for Education Reforms

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Sindh School Education and Literacy Department (SELD) participated in a ceremony to showcase the achievements of USAID’s Sindh Community Mobilization Program (SCMP), which is ending after nine years.

Andrew Rebold, USAID Director for Sindh and Balochistan, and Ghulam Akbar Laghari, Sindh Secretary of Education, attended the event held on Tuesday June 14, 2022.

USAID-Education-Sindh-Courier-1“USAID is proud of our partnership with the Sindh Government that resulted in more children having access to education throughout Sindh,” Andrew Rebold said. “Engaging directly with parents and communities was critical in increasing annual school enrollments—especially for girls. Approximately 20,000 girls enrolled in schools across the province, while more than 13,000 young girls who had previously dropped out re-enrolled. The positive effect of the Sindh Community Mobilization Program will be felt for years to come.”

SCMP was a key component of the still-ongoing, USAID-funded Sindh Basic Education Program, which set out to build 106 state-of-the-art schools and improve student enrollments.  SCMP worked with communities to improve dialogue with Sindh’s public-school staff, thereby building stronger confidence in the system.  This engagement led to the marked increase of first-time school enrollments and improved student retention rates across the province.  SCMP also worked hand-in-hand with the SELD to successfully roll out a public-private partnership approach to improving public school operations, which has led to better educational outcomes.

USAID-Education-Sindh-Courier-3Sindh Education Secretary Laghari expressed his appreciation for USAID’s assistance and the U.S. Government’s long-standing support to the education sector.

Other participants included representatives from donor agencies and senior government officials from target districts. They, and parents, teachers, and community members shared testimonials. (PR)

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