The US Embassy has highlighted the potential for stronger economic ties with Pakistan at the Pakistan-US Alumni Network (PUAN) Economic Policy Challenge, a two-day case-based competition in which teams explored ways to build a more competitive, prosperous and globally integrated economy. The embassy said the recommendations demonstrate how US programme alumni can collaborate on business reforms to improve market access for American firms and create investment opportunities.
The event brought together 70 alumni participants from across Pakistan, along with six participants who travelled from Bangladesh, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka to take part in the challenge. During the competition, alumni teams addressed economic policy challenges including attracting US investment, improving Pakistan's global brand, global capital allocation, securing an affordable energy future, rationalising the tax system and strengthening institutional safeguards for foreign investment.
Participants presented their recommendations to a panel of senior stakeholders. At the closing ceremony, US Embassy Charge d'Affaires ad interim Andy Halus said the inaugural challenge enabled participants to develop practical recommendations for building "a more competitive, mutually prosperous and globally integrated" Pakistani economy. "Over the past 250 years since its founding, the United States has fostered a spirit of innovation.
Today, I saw how the participants embraced that to address their own economic issues in Pakistan," he said. Halus said the Freedom 250 celebrations marking the founding of the US are taking place throughout 2026, highlighting ideas and innovation that have shaped the country.He said the relationships developed through the programme are an important part of its value, connecting PUAN alumni with fellow alumni, industry experts and American companies.
"Bilateral trade between our countries reached over $10 billion last year, and the United States remains Pakistan's largest single-country export market," he said.Halus said the recommendations developed during the challenge showed how US programme alumni can collaborate on reforms to Pakistan's business climate that can improve access for American firms and create investment opportunities.He thanked the organisations and teams involved in organising the event, including Accountability Lab Pakistan and the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan.