Consul General Theriot’s Prepared Remarks at Cotton Council International Seminar

Consul General Nicole Theriot spoke at theCotton Council International (CCI) Seminar for Sindh’s leading textile company representatives in Karachi, on Monday August 29, 2022.CCI is the U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded export promotion arm of the U.S. Cotton Council.Two key stakeholder groups: U.S. cotton suppliers and Pakistani textile companies attended the seminar. Below are her remarks, prepared for delivery.

Consul General (CG) Theriot’s Prepared Remarks at Cotton Council International Seminar

Thank you so much, Mr. Mirza, for that very kind introduction.

I am so happy to be here today to meet with these distinguished representatives from Pakistan’s textile sector and to welcome the visiting U.S. cotton industry delegation. Being from the Deep South of the United States myself, I am very aware of the importance of the cotton industry to the U.S. economy, as well as to Pakistan’s.

Thank you very much, CCI, for having me here today. Your visit to Karachi and later this week to Lahore clearly demonstrates your strong commitment to Pakistan, and it is greatly appreciated.

Please know that I am deeply saddened for the flood victims in Sindh, Balochistan, and elsewhere in Pakistan, as well as for the damaged livelihoods in agricultural communities, including this year’s cotton crops. I share Secretary Blinken’s sentiment that we stand by Pakistan during this difficult time. Ambassador Blome, in his visit to Karachi earlier this month, announced a $1 million grant from the U.S. government in support of natural disaster preparedness in Pakistan so that its people can withstand current and future shocks such as the ongoing flooding. This humanitarian assistance from the American