KARACHI, Aug 29: The US business representatives have assured to pursue the case of closer economic cooperation and early conclusion of Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with Pakistan for a more conducive business environment for private sector of both the countries.

They promised to take up the concerns of the private sector of Pakistan with their government in their future interaction and expected the Pakistan government to address issues that the US companies were facing in Pakistan on priority basis.

In this regard problems faced by American pharmaceuticals regarding drug pricing and data exclusivity were mentioned in particular.

It was said that they intend to persuade their government to give a second look to their policies affecting Pakistan’s business interests in the US.

The head of a delegation of US Chamber of Commerce and the US Pakistan Business Council, Daniel W Christman, in a press briefing here on Friday, at the end of his two-day fact finding mission to Pakistan, termed the visit very fruitful. The delegation spent first day in Islamabad.

“I found the Pakistani government to be very receptive, open and sensitive to issues of business and commerce. We were received by senior most government officials that included many secretaries of relevant ministries and ministers”, he said.

Explaining the purpose of the visit and its timing the US business leader said that it was primarily to get a first hand insight into the mindset of the new government and to learn about their plans towards investment by overseas companies.

A press release was circulated in the briefing that read: “We were looking to engage senior officials of the new government about the opportunities for US companies in this important South Asian allies”.

“The meetings gave us confidence that the new government is quickly developing the strategy to strengthen economic and financial stability, a critical component of which is the continued partnership with the US business community”, it said.

The delegation held meetings with FPCCI, KCCI, ABC and TDAP here on Friday. The visit was facilitated by CIPE, which is headed by Moin Fudda.