The British government is fully supporting the welfare-oriented policies of the provincial government in different sectors and the Department for International Development (DFID) will continue to extend its cooperation. The provincial representative of the DFID, United Kingdom, Ben French, said this while talking to LCCI Senior Vice-President Almas Hyder at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday. A number of issues including Pakistan regional trade, trade with Afghanistan,
Pak-UK trade and economic relations came under discussion. Ben French said that DFID is partner of the Punjab government in difference socio economic development programs. "British government is committed to a long-term, productive and friendly partnership with Pakistan, as the United Kingdom views Pakistan as a long-term strategic partner and would continue to support all its endeavours aimed at expansion of trade relations between the two countries," she said.
LCCI Senior Vice President Almas Hyder said that United Kingdom is one of the important trade partners and played a significant role in economic development of Pakistan. He said that the volume of total two-way trade can easily break the barrier of US $2 billion if some further avenues of trade are explored with the joint efforts by both the sides.