British Business Centre launched in Karachi

Karachi

A British Business Centre was launched at the UK Deputy High Commission on Thursday evening to help Pakistani and UK companies develop business links and opportunities, in turn helping enhance trade between the two countries.

The website of the centre, which will work with the UK Trade & Investment, was formally inaugurated by Federal Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan.

Speaking on the occasion, Khan said: “The bilateral trade and investment relationship between the two countries is of great significance to Pakistan. With the help of the UK government, we encourage other UK exporters and investors to come and see for themselves first-hand the opportunities Pakistan has to offer.”

Highlighting the longstanding economic cooperation between the two countries, he said that the centre was just a manifestation of a new thought in this longstanding cooperation. 

The launch of the British Business Centre, the minister said, was also a manifestation of a more peaceful Pakistan. He said, “Happily enough, Pakistan at the beginning of 2016 is a far more peaceful country than it was even two years ago. It gives me great pride to say that now we have solid grounds for hope.”

Secondly, he said, Pakistan’s economy had visibly stabilised. The country was now reconnecting with the world, notably through the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, and developing relations with neighbours both to its east and to its west, he added.

The present government, the minister said, had made arrangements to make Pakistan fully energy self-sufficient within the next two years.

Earlier, John Tucknott, the UK deputy high commissioner, said: “The United Kingdom and Pakistan already enjoy a longstanding cooperative relationship. The British Business Centre will further consolidate that relationship. It aims at contributing to an increase in bilateral trade and investment in line with the commitments made by prime Ministers Cameron and Sharif when they met in London in2014.”  

He said that the British Business Centre was different from all earlier steps, and it would create new jobs and it would open new avenues to those seeking to do trade with the UK. “Our aim is to transform business in Pakistan,” he said. 

Tucknott thanked various private enterprises for their cooperation in the event.

Malahat Awan has been appointed the chief executive of the centre. Alongside her academic antecedants and attainment, she brings along with her rich experience in the field of administration. 

In her acceptance speech, she said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead and shape an organisation that will play a vital role in helping enhance trade between the UK and Pakistan. 

“The British Business Centre will give the UK and Pakistan companies a cost-effective, in-country physical resource to facilitate quick access to the information and expertise necessary to achieve business success.”