A delegation of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by President Atif Ikram Sheikh called on the new British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Thomas Drew CMG to discuss way 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, the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Thomas Drew CMG said that strengthening the 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 from Karachi to Islamabad of British investment in a variety of sectors.

He said business relationship between the UK and Pakistan was important to the prosperity of both our countries. He said he wanted it to continue to grow. There were already a large number of British companies operating in Pakistan today, with many more working here through Pakistani agents and distributors. He said part of his role was to stimulate more business in both directions. He said the newly launched British Business Centre would be a great asset in doing so.

He said there were are exciting times for Pakistan and for our trade relationship. 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.

Speaking at the occasion, Atif Ikram Sheikh, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry 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 China-Pakistan Economic Corridor 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. He said bilateral trade between Pakistan and UK was yet below their 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.