ISLAMABAD: British High Commissioner Thomas Drew on Tuesday said Pakistan offered a huge commercial market for British investors.
The high commissioner expressed these views during a meeting with Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan in his office and discussed the scope of trade between Pakistan and UK and its economic relations.
The meeting was also attended by DFID Pakistan Head Joanna Reid, and Head of DFID Economic Growth Group, Louise Walker. Drew discussed means for further improving bilateral trade between Pakistan and UK and said that the trade agreements between the two countries should be strengthened to enhance trade.
Dastgir informed the delegation that due to the policies of incumbent government, Pakistan had become a lucrative market for investors. The leadership of Pakistan under Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government was giving top priority to exporters and trade community and had already facilitated the exporters through zero rating, unprecedented cuts in exports financing rates, uninterrupted supply of electricity and gas, reduction in electricity prices and by providing improved law and order situation in the country, he said.
The minister said that bilateral trade between Pakistan and UK is still below its true potential. “Pakistan and UK have great potential to promote bilateral trade and both countries should facilitate private sectors in developing strong connectivity, so that untapped areas of mutual cooperation can be explored”, the minister added. He further informed the delegation that Commerce Ministry is working diligently on different initiatives like tariff reforms on raw materials, easing the movement of goods and developing an E-commerce framework. “E-commerce is getting more and more attention from entrepreneurs and consumers, both local and international, and it will certainly provide boost to exports in Pakistan”, the minister said.
