Daily Times

NEW YORK: Pakistani Ambassador to the United Nations, Dr Maleeha Lodhi, rang the closing bell at the NASDAQ Stock Exchange in New York on Friday to signal the ceremonial end of trading for the day on Wall Street.

She also spoke on the occasion, saying that the Pakistan’s economy was on the upswing as it pursued the “most investor-friendly” policies in the region. “Pakistan is on the rise,” she told traders and investors gathered at the impressive ceremony held in the Pakistan flag-bedecked NASDAQ’s office building in New York’s Time Square to mark the 70th year of the country’ establishment.

The event was presented live on a giant screen overlooking the crowded iconic square as well as by major American television networks on their economic and financial segments. “I am glad that NASDAQ today has gone green with the Pakistani flag,” Lodhi said, while dressed in green, before pressing the button to set off the bell.

She added, “We are open to business, and we are open to foreign investment.” Lodhi also elaborated on feeling honoured to represent Pakistan at NASDAQ on the Independence Day celebrations from the platform of the Pakistan-American Business Association (PABA).

“Our economy has achieved an impressive turnaround and is poised for rapid growth,” the Pakistani envoy asserted. Economic stability was said to have been achieved by an enabling environment of democratic consolidation and security gains. Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves were reportedly up, inflation down and overseas remittances at a record high.

“Our demographic profile of a youthful population gives Pakistan the ability to make a quantum leap in its development,” Ambassador Lodhi said, adding, “We are embarked firmly on the path of realizing our vision to turn Pakistan into a regional hub, connecting the different regions it straddles by providing trade, energy and communications corridors.”

She also read out a special message from Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, that said, “Pakistan has bright future powered by its hard-working people and a resilient democracy.”