FPCCI, PBBC signs MoU for enhancing business, trade

ISLAMABAD, Sep 23 (APP): The Pakistan Commission London organized a business networking reception on Saturday to boost trade ties between Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and Pakistan Britain Business Council (PBBC) where an MoU was signed between them.
It was attended by CEOs and Directors of leading Pakistani and British companies, beside London Chamber, Mayor of London office, London Stock Exchange, Standard Chartered, Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, UK Department of International Trade (DIT), UBL and HBL, said a press release received here.
Newly appointed UK’s Trade Envoy for Pakistan Rehman Chishti,
MP also attended the event.
A high powered delegation of the FPCCI, led by its Vice
President Mirza Ishtiaq Baig, is currently visiting various cities
of the UK and meeting with local businesses.
The Commercial Wing of the High Commission is liaising the
business meetings for the visiting delegation.
The delegates were of the view that Pakistan offers huge
business opportunities and was open for business.
It was also noted that such networking events aimed at forging
business to business ties are significant in correcting the
perception of the country.
In his welcome remarks, Syed Ibne Abbas Pakistan High
Commissioner to the UK said that Pakistan is a natural destination
for the UK business companies, and add that this interest is also
reflected in a stream of high level visits of the UK leadership to
Pakistan.
He also emphasized that there were tremendous economic
opportunities for UK businesses in Pakistan after Brexit and in the
wake of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The High Commissioner said that Pakistan is moving forward and
projections about Pakistan economy by the independent financial
institutions is a testimony of country’s upward economic trajectory.
He also welcomed the sighing of MoU between FPCCI & PBBC and
hoped that it would open new vistas of cooperation and relationship
between two organizations.
Mirza Ishtiaq Baig, Vice President FPCCI, expressed his desire
to work closely with Pakistan High Commission London.
He offered the services of FPCCI in forging ties between
businesses of the two countries.
Rehman Chishti MP, in his address, mentioned that UK has a
unique relationship with Pakistan.
The business and trade ties add very important dimension to
our relationships, added the MP.
He termed Pakistan a key trading partner and said that
implementation on CPEC projects would bring the business communities
of the two countries even closer.
Julian Hamilton Barns, Chairman Pakistan British Council, said
that Pakistan is open for business and such collaboration as
manifested in signing of MoU would further augment cooperation
between the businesses of two countries.
He said that Pakistan is facing issues of perception which
could be corrected through business to business and people to people
contacts.
Imran Khalili, Chairman Pak UK Business Council of FPCCI also
shared his perspective on profitable business opportunities in
Pakistan.
A number of important sectors of economy were represented at
the networking event, including textile, energy, chemicals,
financial services, real estate, entertainment, tourism and surgical
equipment.