Nosheena Mobarik says UK views Pakistan as a long-term strategic partner, will continue to support all its endeavours aimed at expansion of trade relations between the two countries
LAHORE: Member of UK House of Lords Baroness Nosheena Mobarik has said that the British government is committed to a long-term, productive and friendly partnership with Pakistan.
She was talking to LCCI President Ijaz A Mumtaz at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. She said that 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 that British entrepreneurs working in Pakistan were interested in working here and safeguarding their businesses. “They are looking forward to opportunities to further increase their operations by expanding existing projects and exploring new avenues for investment.”
She said that British businessmen admire Pakistani labour force because of their hard work, which is one of the greatest strengths of Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, LCCI President Ijaz A Mumtaz called for concrete measures to enhance diversified strategic partnership between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
He said that strengthening of relations with the UK is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy, as Pakistan views the UK as an important member of the European Union.
The LCCI president further said that the volume of total two-way trade can easily break the barrier of $2 billion if some further avenues of trade are explored with the joint efforts of both the sides.
Ijaz A Mumtaz said that the UK is known to have expertise in agriculture sciences that provide specific insight and technologies into sub-fields like crop genetics, sustainable pest and disease management, seed and plant sciences, composts and synthetic soils, etc.
“We do need your technical help and guidance to make the most of our available agriculture resources and also develop much required agriculture-industry linkage.”
The LCCI president said that Pakistan has great potential in mines and minerals development, as important minerals found in Pakistan are iron ores, limestone, chromites, silver, gold, gemstones, marble, copper, graphite, etc.
He urged British investors to explore the untapped potential of this sector, which will surely result in a win-win situation for all.
The UK has gone one step ahead of industrial textiles through mastering in technical textiles, which describes the growing variety of products and manufacturing techniques for technical properties and performance.
He said that being dependent on the textile sector, which directly and indirectly engages almost two-thirds of Pakistan’s resources, transfer of UK’s technology to Pakistan would be of great help.
Other sectors include medical technologies – with special focus on industrial biotechnology – and science parks.
Moreover, he said the UK was successfully implementing very advanced systems in the education and banking sectors; therefore, joint ventures could be a good option to develop these sectors on modern lines in Pakistan.
In addition to that, oil and gas exploration sector of Pakistan can be another area of mutual benefits for both the countries, the LCCI president added.
