"United Kingdom is significantly contributing in economic and social sector development of Pakistan," said British High Commissioner in Pakistan, Mark Lyall Grant while delivering a speech on 'Britain-Pakistan Relations: Economics and Education' at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) here Thursday. British Deputy High Commissioner Danial Hamish was also present on the occasion. Grant who began his speech in Urdu said that UK was one of the largest single investor in Pakistan and 60 British companies were operating in the country. He referred to the British investment with a cement company in Chakwal.
Bilateral trade was growing at a rate of 15 percent and UK was the only country among top five with whom Pakistan enjoyed a significant trade surplus, he said and pointed out that Britain was supporting Pakistan's efforts to get better market access in European Union. However he suggested that Pakistan would be benefited with GSP and not with GSP plus due to EU's conflict with China over textiles.
"UK is also helping Pakistan over anti-dumping duties imposed by EU on its bed-linen, he informed". Grant lauded Pak-India dialogue process and said that this would have positive impact in the region and foster development.
Talking of developmental support, Grant said that UK would provide 236 million pounds in next three years to fund development activities in Pakistan for poverty alleviation.
Though the country was progressing fast but it was not in a position to meet the required development criteria by the year 2015, he observed. Referring to education sector co-operation, he said Britain issued 10,500 visas to Pakistani students during the last 12 months showing a four-time rise compared to 2002. While 16,000 visas were issued to Indian students during the same period.
Citing reason for this rise, he said that more Pakistani students were inclined to study in UK after 9/11 incident, as they felt more comfortable in the Kingdom than USA. In addition, some British Universities had also become active in attracting foreign students, he observed.
He pointed out that UK issued about 145,000 visas to Pakistanis last year. He said that Pakistanis were the highest recipients of visa followed by the US citizens who were issued 55,000 visas. Grant said that British government was providing a significant assistance to Pakistan in education sector particularly regarding female education and universal primary education. Similarly, volunteer teachers from Britain would teach children in rural areas.
He said that very soon UK would undertake education development programme for female literacy in NWPP as the NWFP government had agreed in this regard.
He said that British institutions were holding examinations for a large number of Pakistani students. Besides, UK was offering extensive scholarship through partnership programme to a large number of Pakistani students.
Referring to people-to-people contact, he said that British government would soon sign an expedition treaty with Pakistan to discourage forced marriages of Pakistani origin British nationals. Earlier, Director IBA, Danishmand also spoke.