Britain and Pakistan emphasize the development of trade relations.
The inaugural meeting of the UK-Pakistan Business Dialogue was held in London today, with the participation of Douglas Alexander, UK Deputy Secretary of State for Business, and Jam Kamal Khan, Pakistan’s Minister for Commerce. At the meeting, the two countries agreed to establish a new council, the UK-Pakistan Business Advisory Council, to boost investment, identifying economic opportunities and facilitating bilateral trade.
According to a statement from the UK government, the council is to serve as a strategic platform for consultations with government officials and business leaders from both countries to exchange experiences, remove barriers to market access and promote business opportunities.
The two sides also agreed to hold annual ministerial meetings to further explore opportunities for economic growth and support businesses and investors from both countries.
The UK Deputy Secretary of State for Trade said at the meeting, “This dialogue is the next step in our long-standing relationship with Pakistan and takes the bilateral trade partnership to a new level. By deepening cooperation in areas such as digital technology and health, we can boost economic growth, innovation, and employment.”
The Pakistani Commerce Minister also emphasized, “The UK is one of Pakistan’s most important economic partners. This dialogue strengthens the foundation of a structured and forward-looking trade relationship. By aligning priorities and expanding cooperation, we can increase bilateral trade and create sustainable economic opportunities.”
Official statistics show that the value of trade exchanges between the two countries reached 4.7 billion pounds at the end of the last quarter of last year, which represents a growth of 7.3 percent compared to the same period. The two sides emphasized the continuation of this trend at the meeting, with a special focus on information technology and healthcare.