PM highlights investment opportunities for US investors in manufacturing, IT, AI sectors

September 25, 2026 (MLN): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has invited increased American investment across key sectors of Pakistan's economy, including manufacturing, agriculture, IT, AI, and mines & minerals, terming the creation of a business-friendly environment a top priority of his government.

The remarks came during a meeting with a joint delegation of the US-Pakistan Business Council (USPBC) and the Business Council of International Understanding (BCIU), held on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, said a press release issued.

The Prime Minister acknowledged the longstanding and productive partnership between the US corporate sector and Pakistan, describing the country as an important destination for American businesses given its market size and youthful workforce.

He said Pakistan had made significant headway on the peace front in June before the situation deteriorated again, adding that with the support of friendly and brotherly countries, he hoped to arrest the situation and achieve long-term regional peace, which he termed essential for discussions on business and investment.

The Prime Minister said the government had undertaken massive structural reforms, including the digitisation of the economy, the FBR, and e-governance, which were being implemented at speed. He identified five potential areas for investment: agriculture, where he said the use of modern technology and machinery such as combine harvesters could enhance per-acre yield, improve efficiency and reduce costs; mines and minerals, an area he said Pakistan was richly endowed with; IT and AI-led initiatives, supported by the country's young population, which the government was seeking to empower through vocational and skills training for productive employment; and energy reserves, including oil, gas and petroleum, which he said Pakistan could offer with both security and safety in light of lessons drawn from the current regional crisis.

The meeting was attended by senior representatives of US companies operating in Pakistan, including Boeing, Abbott, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Resecurity, Mastercard, Nvidia, ETS Capital, TRG International, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Northshore Medical Lab, Reckitt, Visa, and Excelerate Energy.

The Prime Minister was assisted by the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, the Minister for Finance & Revenue, the Minister for Defence, SAPM Tariq Fatemi, PVARA Chairman Bilal bin Saqib, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN Asim Iftikhar, and Ambassador of Pakistan to the US Rizwan Ahmed Sheikh.

USPBC President Esperanza Jelalian thanked the Prime Minister for his continued engagement with US enterprises and briefed him on the US Chamber of Commerce's plans to promote investment opportunities in Pakistan.

BCIU President Peter Tichansky highlighted member companies' interest in scaling up existing investments and exploring new partnership avenues.

Both organisations assured the Prime Minister of their continued engagement with the government and private sector of Pakistan to enhance bilateral cooperation, with delegation members briefing the Prime Minister on their business interests and plans to expand their presence in the country.

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