ISLAMABAD: A senior US official has said that the United States was keen to cooperate with Pakistan in the energy sector.

William (Chip) Laitinen, Counsellor for Economic Affairs at the US Embassy here said that many US companies were interested to explore Pakistan for the export of LNG.

“The country [Pakistan] could overcome its energy shortages by developing close ties with the US,” he said while addressing the business community during his visit to the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI).

“USAID is working in Pakistan to contribute for improving its economy,” the counsellor said, adding that Pakistan has taken advantages of US’s GSP scheme as its exports to the US were improving.

Laitinen further went on to say that the US wanted continuous engagement with Pakistan for the economic benefit of both countries and added that people to people contacts were important to realise these objectives.