Pakistan moves to formalize U.S. Pakistan Business Alliance

January 07, 2026 (MLN):  Pakistan will formally bring the U.S. Pakistan Business Alliance (USPBA) under the regulatory framework of the Board of Investment (BOI), a move aimed at strengthening institutional coordination and attracting greater U.S. private-sector investment into key sectors of the economy.

The development was outlined by Federal Minister for the Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh while addressing a gathering of business leaders, diplomats and investors in Islamabad.

The registration of USPBA with the BOI is expected to streamline engagement between U.S. investors and Pakistani authorities at a time when both sides are seeking to expand trade and investment ties, according to the press release.

Sheikh said Pakistan’s geographic position linking South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East and China provides a strategic advantage for regional trade and supply chains.

He noted that economic engagement between Pakistan and the United States is gaining momentum, creating space for deeper commercial cooperation.

The minister highlighted investment potential in minerals and mining, including rare earth elements, as well as technology, energy and industrial manufacturing.

These sectors have been identified by the government as priorities for foreign direct investment amid efforts to diversify exports and reduce reliance on imports.

He also pointed to improving sentiment in Pakistan’s equity market, where rising participation reflects growing confidence in macroeconomic stability following fiscal and regulatory reforms.

Pakistan’s benchmark stock index has posted strong gains in recent months, supported by expectations of monetary easing and an improving external account.

To support investors, the BOI’s Business Facilitation Center is providing a one-window platform to reduce procedural bottlenecks, while ongoing regulatory reforms and the Asaan Karobar Act are aimed at improving the ease of doing business for both domestic and foreign companies.

The event was attended by FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh, Haroon Akhtar Khan of SPMA, officials from the U.S. Embassy and representatives of the business community.

Sheikh also welcomed a delegation of Yale University students visiting Pakistan, describing academic exchanges as a potential catalyst for future trade and investment linkages.

The BOI reiterated its role as the government’s lead agency for investment promotion, with a focus on translating improving investor sentiment into sustained capital inflows and job creation.

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