RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Pakistan enjoyed nearly $2 billion trade surplus in bilateral trade with the United States during 2015, said American Ambassador David Hale here at Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) Tuesday.

Tuesday was a busy day for Hale who, according to US Consulate Karachi, witnessed the signing of a partnership agreement and inaugurated, along with Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, the Lincoln Corner at Liaquat Memorial Library.

“According to the US Census Bureau, in 2015, the United States was Pakistan’s largest bilateral export market,” US Consulate spokesman Brian Asmus quoted Ambassador Hale as saying at PSX.

He visited the bourse and rang there the bell to open trading at the exchange’s trading hall.

“Pakistan enjoyed nearly $2 billion trade surplus,” the envoy said, adding that “total (bilateral) trade stood at $5.5 billion.”

Separately, Ambassador Hale witnessed the signing of a partnership agreement between US Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Sindh Community Mobilization Program (CMP) and Aga Khan University’s Human Development Program.

The effort would support nutrition-related activities for children aged 5-9 in CMP schools in seven northern districts in Sindh and five towns in Karachi.

“Education plays a vital role in improving children’s health and nutrition,” Ambassador Hale said. “No nation can reach its full potential if its people are not healthy and educated,” he said.

As part of the USAID-funded Sindh Basic Education Program (SBEP) - in partnership with the Sindh Education and Literacy Department - CMP is linking schools and health facilities to fight malnutrition.

Further, the ambassador opened jointly with Chief Minister Shah the Lincoln Corner at Liaquat Memorial Library.

“Lincoln Corners are places where Pakistanis can connect with and learn about American culture and values, access information, and enjoy contemporary English-language books,” he said.