The United Kingdom views Pakistan as a long-term strategic partner and would continue to support all its endeavours aimed at expansion of trade relations between the two countries, said Deputy High Commissioner and Director UK Trade and Investment Francis Campbell.
Speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Monday, Campbell said that the UK government is foreseeing better economic and investment outlook in Pakistan and encouraging its companies to make more investments here. The British government is committed to a long-term, productive and friendly partnership, he said.
Campbell pointed out that British entrepreneurs working in Pakistan were looking for opportunities to step up their operations by expanding existing projects and exploring new avenues for investment. “It is a big opportunity for Pakistani businessmen to initiate joint ventures with their UK counterparts,” he said.
He added that a good number of UK companies are keen to invest in different sectors and the British government is motivating business people to make investments.
Calling for concrete steps to enhance the diversified strategic partnership between the two countries, LCCI’s former president Iftikhar Ali Malik said that fostering relations with UK is a cornerstone of the foreign policy as Pakistan views the United Kingdom as an important member of G8 and the European Union, and a partner in the Commonwealth.
He said that the volume of two-way trade can easily break the barrier of $2 billion if more avenues of trade are explored with joint efforts by both the sides.
Malik urged British investors to explore the untapped potential of various sectors such as agriculture and mines and minerals which will surely result in a win-win situation for all.
Being dependent on the textile sector which directly and indirectly engages almost two-thirds of resources, transfer of UK technology would be of great help, he added. Other sectors include medical technologies with special focus on industrial biotechnology and science parks.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 19th, 2011.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ