U.S. Consul General Visits KP-BOIT to Discuss Technical Collaboration

The U.S. Consul General in Peshawar, Thomas Eckert, visited Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment & Trade (KP-BOIT) for an interactive meeting with Vice Chairman KP-BOIT, Hassan Masood Kunwar, Secretary Industries, Commerce & Technical Education (IC&TE), Masood Ahmad and President All Pakistan Mine Owners Association Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and senior members of the Association.
Meeting focused on enhancing cooperation in province’s mines and minerals sector, strengthening investment opportunities, and exploring areas where U.S. technical expertise could contribute to sectoral growth.
Vice Chairman KP-BOIT, Secretary Industries C&TE, and President All Pakistan Mines Owners Association KP warmly welcomed and formally received US Consul General Thomas Eckert in KP-BOIT office.
During discussion, All Pakistan Mine Owners Association Khyber Pakhtunkhwa shared key priorities of local mining community. They requested Consulate’s assistance and support in facilitating local leaseholders to adopt international standards for reporting mineral exploration, reserves, and resources, enabling KP’s mineral potential to be recognized globally and evaluated with accuracy and transparency.
The Association also called for support in linking U.S. investors with local leaseholders, particularly for joint ventures aimed at installing modern mineral up-gradation facilities, including washing and beneficiation plants for metallic minerals. Such collaboration, they noted, would significantly improve processing quality, value addition, and overall competitiveness of KP’s mineral exports.
Another major need presented by the Association was establishment of a globally recognized, state-of-the-art mineral testing and certification laboratory in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They emphasized that such a facility would play a critical role in ensuring reliable testing, international certification, and improved market access.
They requested U.S. technical guidance and support for potential joint ventures in ongoing mining projects across the province.
In response, Thomas Eckert welcomed points raised and expressed a strong interest in expanding cooperation. He presented the idea to organize a Minerals Expo in Peshawar, where all mineral commodities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could be showcased to international investors.
He assured that U.S. companies and investors would actively participate in the Expo.
Vice Chairman KP-BOIT and Secretary Industries C&TE thanked Consul General for his visit and reaffirmed government’s commitment to facilitating investment, improving sector governance, and encouraging long-term partnerships that benefit both local stakeholders and international investors.
Meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continued engagement and collaboration for sustainable development of mines and minerals sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.