Latest news with #UK-PakistanTradeDialogue
Express Tribune
6 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pakistan aims to expand exports
Listen to article Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, in a productive day of engagements in Birmingham, explored the potential for deeper commercial ties, unlocking new market opportunities and expanding Pakistan's export footprint in the United Kingdom. The minister held a detailed meeting with the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, where he highlighted Pakistan's readiness to diversify its export basket in line with the UK's industrial needs. While acknowledging the growing trade volumes with the Midlands, he underlined Pakistan's evolving strengths beyond traditional sectors, including in processed foods, fisheries, pharmaceuticals, leather goods, IT services, furniture, ceramics and sports goods. Later, the minister visited Nouvo, a major UK-based food distribution company, where he met prominent retailers and distributors engaged in importing food products from Pakistan to the UK Midlands. Discussions focused on strengthening commercial supply chains and expanding the footprint of halal-certified and ethnic food products from Pakistan in the British market. In his meeting with the UK-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the minister called for enhanced matchmaking between the UK importers and reliable Pakistani suppliers. He urged the chamber to mobilise diaspora-led investments in Pakistan through joint ventures, franchising and startup incubation, and proposed greater support for tourism and culture-focused initiatives. In a meeting with the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the minister emphasised that the recently launched UK-Pakistan Trade Dialogue was poised to introduce a new era of predictability, transparency and business-friendly policies in bilateral trade. He encouraged the chamber to explore the potential of sector-specific memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with Pakistani chambers and trade bodies to unlock joint opportunities.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan, UK ministers announce new steps aimed at boosting trade
ISLAMABAD: Ministers from the UK and Pakistan have announced new measures to boost trade between the two countries, following the launch of the UK-Pakistan Trade Dialogue. As part of the dialogue, ministers announced the creation of a new UK-Pakistan Business Advisory Council bringing together senior business leaders and government officials to facilitate high value trade and investment. The council will provide strategic advice on policy reform, offer a confidential forum for engagement, and help promote commercial opportunities by addressing market access challenges and sharing best practices. Monday's (14 July) meeting in London was co-chaired by the UK Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security, Douglas Alexander, and Pakistan's Federal Minister of Commerce Jam Kamal Khan. Both ministers agreed to annual ministerial meetings to unlock growth opportunities, and support businesses and investors in the UK and Pakistan. Douglas Alexander said: 'Today's dialogue marks the next step in our long-standing relationship with Pakistan, taking our trading partnership to the next level and unlocking new opportunities for businesses in both our countries.' 'By deepening cooperation in key sectors like healthcare and digital technology – areas central to the UK's Industrial Strategy – we can drive growth, foster innovation, and create jobs.' Jam Kamal said: 'The UK remains one of Pakistan's most important economic partners. This dialogue lays the foundation for a more structured and forward-looking trade relationship. By strengthening collaboration and aligning our priorities, we can expand bilateral trade, attract greater investment, and create sustainable economic opportunities that benefit both nations.' The UK has also announced up to £200,000 to support Pakistan's aspirations to attract investment from the UK. The funds will provide technical assistance for investor outreach, and support matchmaking between Pakistani investors and UK-based opportunities. This initiative reflects the UK's commitment to supporting Pakistan's ambitions to increase outbound investment and to strengthening the bilateral investment relationship. The dialogue highlighted shared ambition to build on recent momentum, with bilateral trade increasing by 7.3 per cent during the final quarter of last year. Bilateral trade is currently valued at £4.7 billion. Today's discussion focused on key sectors including information technology and healthcare, two priority areas under the UK's Industrial Strategy. The UK's Industrial Strategy presents a significant opportunity for businesses and investors. The UK is committed to making it easier, faster, and more predictable for international firms to operate in its market. This includes reforms in skills development, innovation, regulation, and planning – creating a more dynamic and open business environment. Through the alignment of the UK's Industrial Strategy and the UK – Pakistan Trade Dialogue, we are reaffirming our commitment to open and fair trade and to deepening economic ties with key partners like Pakistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
UK, Pakistan launch trade dialogue to deepen economic ties
Pakistan and the United Kingdom have agreed on new steps to strengthen trade and investment ties, launching the UK-Pakistan Trade Dialogue and establishing a high-level Business Advisory Council. The announcement was made after a ministerial meeting held on Monday in London, co-chaired by UK Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security Douglas Alexander and Pakistan's Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan. The newly formed UK-Pakistan Business Advisory Council will include senior business leaders and government officials from both countries. It will offer strategic advice on policy reforms, serve as a confidential forum for dialogue, and promote commercial opportunities by resolving market access issues and sharing best practices. The ministers also agreed to hold annual meetings to maintain momentum and support businesses and investors in both countries. UK Trade Minister Douglas Alexander said the Dialogue "marks the next step in our long-standing relationship with Pakistan" and aims to "unlock new opportunities" in sectors such as healthcare and digital technology. "These are areas central to the UK's Industrial Strategy, where we can drive growth, foster innovation, and create jobs," he said. Pakistan's Commerce Minister Jam Kamal called the UK one of Pakistan's most important economic partners. "This Dialogue lays the foundation for a more structured and forward-looking trade relationship," he noted. To support Pakistan's efforts to attract foreign investment, the UK also pledged up to £200,000 for technical assistance and matchmaking efforts between Pakistani investors and UK opportunities.
Business Recorder
26-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
UK trade envoy, PM's rep discuss bilateral economic ties
ISLAMABAD: Mohammad Yasin, the UK Trade Envoy to Pakistan, met with Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Commerce, Rana Ihsaan Afzal, and Additional Secretary Commerce, Nasir Hamid, to advance bilateral economic ties. The meeting focused on enhancing trade, investment, and cooperation between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. Discussions highlighted significant untapped trade potential in high-growth sectors like technology, agriculture, textiles, and renewable energy, aiming to boost economic growth for both nations. The upcoming UK-Pakistan Trade Dialogue was a key agenda item, with both sides planning to use this platform to deepen partnerships, address trade barriers, and explore new opportunities for collaboration. Strategies to diversify the trade basket were thoroughly explored, emphasizing the need to expand the range of goods and services exchanged, including pharmaceuticals, IT services, and green technologies. Both sides expressed optimism about increasing trade volumes and fostering innovation-driven commerce. They reaffirmed their commitment to fostering stronger commercial ties, promoting collaboration in key sectors, and leveraging mutual strengths to enhance economic cooperation, paving the way for a robust bilateral trade framework. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
