ISLAMABAD: Assistant United States Trade Representative (AUSTR) for South Asia Michael Delaney led a delegation to Islamabad and discussed the on-going US-Pakistan Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the US Embassy, the inter sessional meeting covered a wide range of trade and investment-related issues including expanded market access for Pakistani goods in the United States, business-to-business ties, intellectual property and progress on the Augmented Joint Action Plan for Trade and Investment. “Pakistan and the United States share a relationship based on trade and investment and have a five-year action plan to continue to do so,” AUSTR Delaney said and added, “The United States sees Pakistan’s prosperity as good for the region and good for itself.” He also met with members of the government of Pakistan and discussed issues of bilateral interest. During his meetings, Delaney emphasised that the US remains committed to working with Pakistan to enhance bilateral trade and investment ties. The US is the largest destination for Pakistani exports and is one of the country’s primary sources of foreign direct investment – In 2015, the bilateral trade between Pakistan and the US surpassed $5.5 billion. The US-Pakistan TIFA provides a strategic framework and principles for dialogue on trade and investment issues between the two nations.