The Consulate General of Pakistan in Los Angeles hosted a high-level Business Roundtable, uniting American entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders for an in-depth discussion on expanding trade and investment opportunities in Pakistan through the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) framework.The event was organized by Consul General Asim Ali Khan, Trade and Investment Counselor Quratulain Fatima, and other senior officials.
In his keynote address, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh highlighted the remarkable transformation of Pakistan’s investment climate, driven by government-led institutional reforms and attractive policy incentives under the SIFC framework. He emphasized Pakistan’s strategic focus on attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in priority sectors and invited U.S. companies to leverage Pakistan’s growing industrial base, young workforce, and competitive market access. Ambassador Sheikh also briefed participants on Pakistan’s upward economic trajectory and the international recognition of its sound economic policies.
Consul General Asim Ali Khan welcomed the attendees and reiterated the Consulate’s commitment to strengthening business ties, particularly within California and the broader western U.S. region. He underscored the rising demand in Pakistan for sustainable infrastructure, technology solutions, and agri-tech, highlighting ample opportunities for U.S. innovation-driven partnerships.
Ambassador Sheikh informed participants about the approval of 28 strategic projects slated for 2025 and the increasingly business-friendly environment in Pakistan.
The roundtable provided detailed information about key incentives available under the SIFC framework, including a 10-year tax holiday for investors in Special Economic Zones (SEZs), duty-free import of capital goods, 100% tax credit on IT exports, a reduced 0.25% withholding tax on digital services, and expedited investor visa processing.
The event showcased Pakistan’s modernized SEZ policy, which offers plug-and-play infrastructure and one-window facilitation for global investors. Service sectors such as IT, logistics, and e-commerce have also been included as eligible investment areas.
During discussions, Ambassador Sheikh emphasized the vast potential for Pakistan-U.S. collaboration in the entertainment and creative industries. He highlighted Pakistan’s vibrant cultural heritage, expanding digital media infrastructure, and growing pool of talented artists as unique opportunities for co-productions, content licensing, and talent exchange. He invited U.S. filmmakers, studios, and streaming platforms to explore Pakistan as both a creative partner and an emerging production hub.
The Ambassador also spoke on the launch of Pakistan’s Sovereign Wealth Fund, designed as a co-investment vehicle pooling assets from key state enterprises to support SIFC-approved projects.
The roundtable further addressed enhancing bilateral cultural collaborations in the age of AI and digital media. Ambassador Sheikh noted the soft power of Pakistan’s media and entertainment sector in fostering mutual understanding between communities and countries, while unlocking new economic avenues through cultural diplomacy.
In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Sheikh urged American stakeholders to recognize Pakistan as a strategic investment destination and a partner in building resilient, future-ready supply chains. He reaffirmed the Embassy and Consulate’s commitment to facilitating market access, regulatory navigation, and project-level matchmaking for U.S. investors.
This roundtable underscores Pakistan’s proactive diplomatic engagement under its “Rising Pakistan” narrative and builds on recent efforts to deepen economic diplomacy and private sector collaboration.
