Apr 13 , 2016
News
British high commissioner for improved trade ties with Pakistan
By: Online
ISLAMABAD: British High Commissioner to Pakistan Thomas Drew said that strengthening trade and investment ties between the UK and Pakistan was one of his top priorities.
According to a press release, a delegation of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by President Atif Ikram Sheikh called on new British High Commissioner to Pakistan Thomas Drew to discuss ways and means for further improving bilateral trade and economic relations between Pakistan and UK.
During the meeting, the British high commissioner exchanged views on improving the existing trade
links between the UK and Pakistan.Speaking after the meeting, Thomas Drew said that strengthening trade and investment ties between the UK and Pakistan was one of his top priorities. He said during his short time in Pakistan, he has already seen good examples of British investment in a variety of sectors.
He said that business relationship between the UK and Pakistan was important to the prosperity of both countries, adding that he wanted it to continue to grow. "There were already a large number of British companies operating in Pakistan today, with many more working through Pakistani agents and distributors," he said.
Part of his role, he said, was to stimulate more business in both directions, adding that the newly launched British Business Centre would be a great asset in doing so. "Increased levels of security, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects and growing UK-Pakistan business links were all laying the foundations for a transformation within Pakistan's business sector. This will be the cornerstone for economic growth across the country," he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Atif Ikram Sheikh said that Pakistan and UK have good potential to promote bilateral trade and both countries should facilitate private sectors in developing strong connectivity to explore all untapped areas of mutual cooperation.
He said economy of Pakistan offered tremendous investment opportunities in its various sector while CPEC project was posed to create more opportunities for investment and joint ventures.
He said British High Commission should apprise UK investors about investment potential in Pakistan so that they could take benefit by investing in our country, adding that bilateral trade between Pakistan and UK was still below its true potential and assured that ICCI would like to work closely with British High Commission to take two-way trade to higher levels.
ICCI Vice President Sheikh Abdul Waheed Tariq Sadiq, Mian Akram Farid, Mian Shaukat Masud, Zahid Maqbool, Ejaz Abbasi, Shaban Khalid, Khalid Malik and Khalid Chaudhry were included in the ICCI delegation.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk