Pakistani business delegation joins SelectUSA summit in Maryland

ISLAMABAD: A 16-member delegation of Pakistani entrepreneurs and business leaders is taking part in the SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbour, Maryland, aimed at building new connections and exploring opportunities to expand through investment in the United States.

The four-day summit opened on Sunday and is described as the highest-profile event in the United States for promoting business investment. It brings together investors, companies, economic development organisations and industry experts to facilitate deals and investment partnerships.

In a video statement issued on Monday, US Charge d’ Affaires Natalie A. Baker welcomed the participation of the Pakistani delegation and said economic relations remain central to ties between the two countries.

“I look forward to helping Pakistani investors expand their global footprint in the United States,” the acting US envoy said.

“This is the premier event to promote foreign direct investment in the United States. By facilitating investment, innovation, and private sector collaboration, we can create jobs, drive growth, and build long-term prosperity for both our nations,” she said.

According to Baker, the summit is expected to attract around 6,000 participants, including about 3,000 business investors from more than 100 countries. She said the event offers direct access to American leaders and helps participants identify investment opportunities across the United States.

Hosted by the US Department of Commerce, the SelectUSA Investment Summit serves as a platform for companies considering expansion into the US market. It also allows economic development organisations to engage directly with international firms to help advance investment deals.

Investment platform and broader economic ties

Since it began, the summit has drawn thousands of international companies and economic development representatives. It has generated more than $256 billion in new US investment projects, supporting over 130,000 jobs across the United States and its territories.

The previous edition of the summit recorded more than 5,500 participants, including representatives of economic development organisations from 54 US states and territories, along with over 2,700 business investors from more than 100 countries.

Pakistan’s trade surplus with the United States stood at around $3 billion in 2024, driven mainly by textile exports. The United States remains Pakistan’s largest market for textiles.

Earlier this year, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met US Commerce Secretary Howard A. Lutnick in Washington in February, where both sides expressed a desire to strengthen economic cooperation, particularly in trade and investment.

Also in February, Pakistan took part in the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial at the US Department of State as Islamabad sought to broaden foreign investment and develop strategic partnerships in the minerals and energy sectors.

The Pakistani delegation’s participation in the Maryland summit comes as both countries continue to signal interest in expanding commercial engagement and investment links.