RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: The UK government is determined and strongly desires to see more developed economic and trade ties with Pakistan, UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Pakistan said while meeting with senior government officials in Lahore.

Abdul Rehman Chishti, UK’s Trade Envoy to Pakistan said that UK government wants to see British companies doing business with, and in, Pakistan, and playing an active role in the Pakistan economic development as both nations share an ambition to increase their economic, trade and cultural ties.

A high level delegation headed by UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Pakistan Abdul Rehman Chishti MP along with senior business representatives from the UK’s financial, legal and professional services sector visited Lahore and held meeting with number of prominent government officials and shared talks regarding economic growth and mounting investment opportunities in the province.

“This is my second visit to Pakistan and I am pleased to bring with me a delegation of some of the United Kingdom’s leading companies to support Pakistan in the development of the country’s economy”. Chisti said.

He termed Pakistan as land of opportunities. He said both countries enjoy strong ties and UK was looking forward for investment opportunities in Services, Goods, Banking and Security, Tourism sectors. Apart from that, he also showed immense interest in up gradation of Pakistan Railways.

Minister Industries, Sheikh Allauddin briefed the delegation about the immense business opportunities in Punjab. Pakistan has now become a much stable, peaceful and prosperous country and there is a vast scope of investment in various sectors in Pakistan particularly Punjab. A number of helpful presentations were shared with the delegation.

Chief Minister’s Advisor and Vice Chairman PBIT Khawaja Ahmad Hassan said that Pakistan is a rapidly growing economy and fifth largest consumer market in the world with 200 million population, while our economy is continuously flourishing in various sectors, which highlight the scope of businesses.

The delegation comprised of Rehman Chishti MP Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Pakistan, Elin Burns British Deputy High Commissioner, Ali Aziz Senior Manager (Mott McDonalds), Mark Gill Project Principal (Mott McDonald), Farmida Bi Partner (Norton Rose Fulbright), Stephen Hart, Senior Executive Officer (Jardine Lloyd Thompson), Michael Dryer, Investment Director Infrastructure (Commonwealth Development Corporation PLC), Saad Ul Islam, Investment Manager, Infrastructure (CDC PLC) and Matt Lister Deputy Director and First Secretary Trade(British High Commission Islamabad).