Bright and large scale scope is available for the investment by the intending entrepreneurs from Pakistan, including Azad Jammu Kashmir, in the trade and industrial sector in Britain through the promotion of bilateral trade ties between the two friendly countries, said Rob Lawley, International Trade Adviser, Staffordshire Chambers International Trade Unit, Britain.
Lawley, currently heading an 8-member British trade mission to Pakistan comprising members of North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce, was addressing a dinner, hosted by President, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed here on Wednesday evening.
The FPCCI president and members of the delegation, including Pritpal Singh Nagi, Chairman, Minority Business Association Staffordshire, Mo Chaudhry, Managing Director, Water world UK Holdings Ltd, and others also spoke on this occasion.
Rob Lawley continued that both United Kingdom and Pakistan, including Mirpur (AJK) and UK were bonded in a close bilateral trade relationship since long. He said that the trade ties between the two countries in various areas of mutual interests could further be strengthened since bright potential was available for expanding business activities and relationship between the two friendly countries.
He said that the business relationship between the two countries could further be promoted through the maximum involvement of the business communities from both the countries.
The delegation also visited the major business cities of Lahore, Sialkot and Gujranwala since the British trade delegation landed Pakistan on November 13 on five-day trip to Pakistan.
He said the visiting mission found an encouraging and positive response from the Pakistan business community already engaged in promoting the trade ties with the United Kingdom where bright potential was also available to explore the market for the Pakistani products.
Speaking on this occasion, Pritpal Singh Nagi, Chairman, Ethnic Minority Business Association Staffordshire said that his organisation, decided to assist and promote the trade relations between Britain and Pakistan.
Addressing the ceremony, another member of the delegation Mo Chaudhry said that being the British Pakistani entrepreneur, "we have focused special attention for promotion of trade with the developing countries like-Pakistan. He said that under this spirit, the business ties between the two countries would ultimately flourish.
Mo Chaudhry said that Pakistan had great potential for business, including in the field of tourism. He said that the trade and commerce sectors were always considered to be the strong source of the public relation between the two countries. He said "we as a brother can work together to enhance the exchange of trade between the two friendly countries.
Speaking on this occasion, FPCCI President Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed said that Pakistan was a liberal country with the priorities to promote the enlighten moderation besides having priorities to enter in the ranks of the developed nations. He said that the government of Pakistan was extending every possible facility and assistance to the intending entrepreneurs for both local and the foreign investments in the countries besides for promoting the trade ties with the potential markets-oriented developed nations like Britain.
Chaudhry Saeed said that Britain was the largest partner of Pakistan in whole Europe. He said that major consumer of Pakistani products exist in UK. He pointed out over 85 British business concerns are at present working in Pakistan through launching their respective projects in various fields.
Besides, over 3000 restaurants were operating by the British Pakistani businessmen across the United Kingdom extending their due share in the British economy.
The FPCCI president said that a conducive atmosphere for investment in trade and tourism sectors in AJK particularly in Mirpur is available. He added we have plenty of water around Mirpur with attractive picturesque resorts at the periphery of the Mangla Dam's lake, which could be developed for tourism through the investment by the British business community, including the UK-based Pakistani and Kashmiri entrepreneurs.