UK, Pakistan collaborate to enhance trade in key sectors

ISLAMABAD: United Kingdom Trade Commissioner Oliver Christian met with Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal, on possible avenues to take bilateral trade forward, informed the press release from the Ministry of Commerce on Monday.

There were deliberations on developing sectoral synergies and a business-to-business matchmaking model to unlock growth opportunities in both nations. Kamal emphasized that there was immense scope available in Pakistan, mainly value-added products, he observed, “Pakistan can significantly boost foreign exchange earnings by focusing on value addition.”

He also mentioned the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who vowed to expand trade and cite such a significant target to double Pakistan’s exports from $30 billion to $60 billion. Kamal acknowledged the prime minister’s concerted efforts towards this export growth program. “The very fruitful FoodAg Expo in Karachi in which more than 800 delegates have attended and explored business opportunities which had not existed before,” he said.

The minister also elaborated on increased exports from Pakistan in sectors such as IT, mining, horticulture, and dairy, and emphasized that the country was currently producing olives: “Pakistan is going to become one of the major olive exporters with a massive cultivation already underway,” he said.
There was mutual consensus between the officials over the significance of the new UK-Pakistan Trade Dialogue, which is designed as a new platform for trade and investment between both countries.