US Treasury Department to Visit Pakistan for Economic Evaluation
Published on: June 11, 2024.
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United States Treasury Department Sends Delegation to Assess Pakistan’s Economic Situation and Business Climate
In a significant move, the United States has decided to dispatch a delegation from the Treasury Department to Pakistan. The delegation’s purpose is to assess Pakistan’s economic situation, the prospects of a new International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, and the overall business and investment climate. This decision comes in the wake of recent significant events, including the unfortunate demise of Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi in a helicopter accident last month and the crucial visit of the Pakistani Prime Minister to China.
According to well-informed sources, the US Embassy in Islamabad has informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) about the upcoming visit. The delegation, led by Deputy Under Secretary/Assistant Secretary Brent Neiman, will arrive in Islamabad on June 12-13, 2024. The delegation will also comprise senior officials such as Alex Entz, Senior Advisor, and Colin Mahoney, Deputy Director for South and Southeast Asia.
During their visit, the delegation aims to conduct one-on-one and delegation-level meetings to gather insider and official information about Pakistan’s financial and economic position, current challenges, and the country’s strategy to address these challenges, particularly in the financial and energy sectors.
Prior to the delegation’s arrival, Donald Blome, the top US diplomat in Islamabad, held a series of meetings with key Pakistani officials, including the Foreign Minister/Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. These meetings took place before the departure of these officials to Beijing as part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s entourage. General Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff, also joined the Pakistani delegations for crucial meetings with the Chinese President and Prime Minister.
For the US Embassy’s visit, the primary point of contact will be Robert Newsome, the Deputy Economic Counselor, and Shadman Mawaz Khan, the Economic Specialist.
It is worth mentioning that the United States previously expressed concerns regarding Islamabad and Tehran’s plans to construct a long-delayed gas pipeline and enhance bilateral trade. In light of this, the US has offered cooperation to meet Pakistan’s energy needs through alternate sources.
This important visit by the United States delegation highlights the significance of Pakistan’s economic situation and sets the stage for further discussions between the two countries. Pakistan’s response to the delegation’s inquiries will shape the way forward and may have a long-term impact on the country’s financial and investment prospects.
Source: [Source](https://english.aaj.tv)
