LONDON: The Consulate General of Pakistan in Manchester together with the Pakistan Britain Business Council (PBBC) with the support of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce hosted a Conference titled ‘Pakistan; A Land of Opportunities’ in Manchester on January 27, 2022.
The event was attended among others by the High Commissioner of Pakistan to the UK Moazzam Ahmad Khan, the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Pakistan MP Mark Eastwood, the Chairman PBBC Julian Hamilton Barns, the Senior Advisor Campbell Kier noted British Pakistani entrepreneur Aneel Musarrat as well as officials and Office Bearers of the Business Council, the High Commission and the Consulate General.
While addressing the Conference, the High Commissioner highlighted the reforms being undertaken by Pakistan to facilitate a business-friendly environment.
The High Commissioner said that the United Kingdom was Pakistan’s strategic partner. This partnership was deepening through growing linkages in diverse fields. The UK, being the third-largest export market for Pakistani products, accounted for approximately 8% of Pakistan’s global exports.
The High Commissioner noted that in 2021, despite the pandemic, Pakistan’s exports to the UK increased by 33%, thus crossing the milestone of US$ 2 billion for the first time.
Moazzam Ahmad said that Pakistan’s GDP, despite the pandemic, grew by 5.37% in 2020-21, which was the second-highest growth in 14 years.
The Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Pakistan MP Mark Eastwood showed a strong desire to improve existing trade and investment relations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
MP Mark Eastwood shared that he would be visiting Pakistan soon along with a business delegation to explore further opportunities to enhance bilateral trade. He further said that he was a supporter of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and the United Kingdom and wanted to see strides taken in this direction.
The Chairman PBBC Julian Hamilton Barns made a presentation highlighting the business opportunities in Pakistan.
A large number of business people, as well as community notables, participated in the event.
