ISLAMABAD: The US Embassy in Islamabad highlighted growing commercial ties between the United States and Pakistan as alumni of a US-sponsored program gathered for an economic policy competition to strengthen Pakistan’s economy, according to a press release.
The two-day Pakistan-US Alumni Network Economic Policy Challenge brought together 70 participants from across Pakistan, along with six alumni from Bangladesh, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Teams developed recommendations to address Pakistan's economic challenges and presented their proposals to a panel of senior stakeholders.
The case-based competition focused on issues including attracting US investment, improving Pakistan’s global economic brand, allocating capital, developing an affordable energy future, reforming the tax system and strengthening safeguards for foreign investment.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, US Embassy Islamabad Chargé d’Affaires Andy Halus said the inaugural competition gave participants a chance to develop practical recommendations to make Pakistan’s economy more competitive and globally integrated.
“Bilateral trade between our countries reached over $10 billion last year, and the United States remains Pakistan’s largest single-country export market,” Halus said.
He said the recommendations produced during the challenge showed how alumni of US exchange programs could contribute to discussions on reforms that improve Pakistan’s business climate and expand opportunities for American companies and investment.
Halus also stressed the importance of professional relationships developed through the program, encouraging participants to maintain connections with fellow alumni, industry experts and US companies and turn them into partnerships.
Accountability Lab Pakistan and the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan supported the event.
The embassy said the competition was held as the United States marks 250 years since its founding, with celebrations taking place throughout 2026.