The US-Pakistan trade grew in the year 2007 and the two countries continue to expand their bilateral trading relationship. The US Trade Representative delivering the 2008 Trade Policy Agenda and 2007 Annual Report to Congress noted that a top priority for the Bush Administration in South Asia has been to build a relationship with Pakistan as a strategic partner for the long term.

America’s highest ranking international trade official Susan Schwab also reported that in 2007, the Administration completed drafting the proposed Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZ) legislation and is working with Congress regarding introduction of the requisite legislative measure for launch of the initiative.

Under the plan, President Bush, who proposed the initiative after his meeting with Musharaf in Islamabad in March 2006, is seeking authorization from Congress to allow certain products manufactured in designated zones in Afghanistan and border areas of Pakistan to enter the United States duty-free.

The two-way trade between the two allies has been growing in the last few years with Pakistan’s exports to the country, mainly textiles, in the fiscal year 2006-07 totaling around $ 3.1 billion. The US exports to Pakistan have been in the form of high-tech commercial airplanes and modern equipment.