Pakistan and the United Kingdom here on Thursday agreed to intensify bilateral trade engagement, strengthen business-to-business cooperation and explore upgrading the existing Trade Dialogue into a more structured economic and trade framework.
Pakistan, UK move to strengthen trade ties
ISLAMABAD, Jul 23 (APP):Pakistan and the United Kingdom here on Thursday agreed to intensify bilateral trade engagement, strengthen business-to-business cooperation and explore upgrading the existing Trade Dialogue into a more structured economic and trade framework.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and British High Commissioner Ms. Jane Marriott at the Ministry of Commerce. Secretary Commerce Jawad Paul and senior officials from both sides attended the meeting.
Jam Kamal Khan said Pakistan was advancing tariff rationalisation, digitalisation and regulatory reforms to improve competitiveness and facilitate businesses, according to press release issued by commerce ministry.
He said predictable tariffs, better access to finance and affordable industrial inputs would help SMEs, e-commerce ventures and export-oriented enterprises expand into new markets.
The minister highlighted Africa and Central Asia as promising destinations for Pakistani exports and called for greater cooperation in standards, certification, traceability, environmental compliance and value addition.
Ms. Jane Marriott appreciated Pakistan’s economic reforms and said the UK was examining the possibility of transforming the Trade Dialogue into a stronger institutional mechanism, with clearly defined sectors, working groups and implementation timelines.
The Secretary Commerce said two Pakistan–UK working groups were already operational, while additional groups had been proposed to broaden cooperation.
He also called for a stronger role for the UK–Pakistan Business Council in facilitating businesses, promoting investment and generating commercially viable projects.
Jawad Paul said Pakistan was strengthening its intellectual property enforcement regime and informed the meeting that the appointment of a new Chairman of the Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan was expected shortly.
Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination and work towards holding the next Pakistan–UK Trade Dialogue in Islamabad in autumn this year, the statement added.
