U.S.-Pakistan Trade and Investment Council meets

U.S.-Pakistan Trade and Investment Council meets    Senior U.S. and Pakistan trade officials gathered in Washington on Monday for the third meeting of the U.S.-Pakistan Trade and Investment Council, the implementing body of the U.S.-Pakistan Trade and Investment Agreement that was signed between the countries in 2003.
   'It manifests the importance both countries place on strengthening a long-term relationship that broadens our cooperation beyond military and security ties to programs that promote the private sector and economic development,' said the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative in a statement.
   The meeting covered four topics:
   ' Pakistan's preparations for implementing Afghanistan and Pakistan Reconstruction Opportunity Zones, for which legislation is pending in Congress.
   ' South and Central Asia regional trade issues.
   ' Investment issues related to bilateral trade, Pakistan's privatization plans, intellectual property rights, and current programs in Pakistan for the U.S. Export-Import Bank, Overseas Private Investment Corp., and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.
   ' A review of agricultural cooperation programs by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Agency for International Development, and ideas for expanding agricultural cooperation.
   USTR officials said they 'strongly encourage private sector input that highlights the challenges that businesses and investors face, so that our efforts are focused on practical solutions that effectively address these issues, helping to create jobs and draw private investment.'
   The United States and Pakistan plan to continue discussion of some of these issues at the May 6-7 U.S.-Pakistan-Afghanistan Trilateral meetings in Washington.