State Pao: Afghan Evening News Clips 15 August 2015

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Approved for Release: 006708887 page 32 of 4g
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relationship from aid to trade. "Both countries agree that greater
trade between the United States and Pakistan is desirable," Dr
Holland, who heads the Centre for International Development at_BallV
State University of Muncie, Indiana.(US)'.said.a .
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Dr Holland recalled that there had been fears that after the
withdrawal from Afghanistan, the US would_attach lesser
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to the region, because of which the level of financial assistance
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Pakistan would either stagnate or fall. *
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There has been a sharp decline in US aid for Pakistan since 2014, a
time when Kerry+Lugar assistance programme was ending. The aid,
which A
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was about $1.5 billion in 2010, has now reduced to about $500 per
annum. ,
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The bilateral trade volume has, meanwhile, largely remained
stagnant.V '
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Last year it was $5.3 billion and Pakistan is currently America's
62nd largest goods trading partner. '
Dr Holland noted the steps being taken by Pakistani government for
promoting trade, including its commitment to promote an investment
friendly environment. Pakistan also hosted the US—Pakistan Business
Opportunities Conference in March this year, He said Pakistan was
particularly keen in getting investment in its energy sector}
Besides the shift to trade, he said, the composition of aid is also
changing. The military component of the aid is on decline, while
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economic assistance constitutes a greater portion of the aid. The
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now annually gives $500 million in economic assistance to Pakistan,
while the military aid is about $280 million. Since July 2012, the
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has delivered over $1.15 billion in security assistance to
Pakistan. _
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Dr Holland also pointed out the imminent end to the-Coalition
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Fund (CSF) — a reimbursement-of the expenses made by Pakistan in
support of US military operations in Afghanistan — as yet another "
indication of falling_American financial assistance for Pakistan.
"The loss of CSF would be a big setback for Pakistan's treasury,"
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8/23/2017
Approved for Release: 2018/09/04 C06708887