PESHAWAR (Agencies): Dustin Degrande, Chief of the Political and Economic Section at the US Consulate General in Peshawar, met with Special Assistant Abdul Karim Tordher, who serves the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Industries, Commerce, and Technical Education. During their meeting, they discussed matters of bilateral interest, trade relations, cooperation in social sectors, and potential expansion opportunities.
The meeting was attended by various officials, including Secretary of Industries, Commerce, and Technical Education Aamir Aafaq, Managing Director of the Small Industries Development Board (SIDB) Habibullah Arif, and representatives from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KP-EZDMC) and Department of Industries.
Abdul Karim emphasized the need for foreign assistance in developing the merged districts and providing energy to the industrial sector. Despite challenges, the provincial government remains committed to sustainable development, with a focus on trade and industry.
The US representative highlighted the longstanding bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United States. Areas of potential cooperation include technical education, vocational training, and investment in sectors such as IT, minerals, and hydropower.
Overall, both sides expressed optimism about mutual cooperation and the province’s development.