https://twitter.com/home https://www.facebook.com/Shabbir.Hussain191By Shabbir Hussain
ISLAMABAD, June 24 (Alliance News): The United Kingdom’s Trade Envoy to Pakistan, Mohammad Yasin MP, has embarked on a three-day official visit to Karachi and Islamabad aimed at strengthening economic ties, encouraging bilateral trade, and promoting long-term investment cooperation between the two countries.
The visit, which comes at a time when the UK is rolling out its Growth Mission and Modern Industrial Strategy, signifies London’s commitment to reinforcing commercial partnerships in high-growth sectors such as clean energy, digital technologies, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing.
These sectors lie at the heart of the UK’s Invest 2035 plan—a ten-year strategic roadmap designed to provide stability and long-term vision for international businesses.
During his visit, Mr. Yasin is scheduled to engage with key Pakistani government figures, including Jawad Paul, Secretary for Commerce, and Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis.
He will also hold discussions with leading representatives from Pakistan’s business community in both Karachi and Islamabad to explore new investment avenues and identify hurdles affecting trade facilitation.
Speaking at the start of his visit, Mohammad Yasin MP said:
“The UK and Pakistan already enjoy deep commercial ties, but there is much more we can achieve together. It is a place close to my heart, and I have seen over many years the enormous potential to help both our countries prosper. During my visit, I look forward to supporting efforts that unlock new opportunities and drive growth.”
The UK remains one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners within Europe and is also a leading source of foreign direct investment (FDI).
Over 200 British companies currently operate in Pakistan, with the top five alone contributing nearly one percent to the country’s GDP. These companies are actively engaged in diverse sectors such as banking, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, retail, education, and renewable energy.
This visit marks an important milestone in advancing the UK-Pakistan commercial relationship, particularly in the context of the forthcoming UK-Pakistan Trade Dialogue, expected to be formally launched later this year.
The Dialogue is designed to serve as a formal mechanism for both governments and business leaders to discuss ways of improving trade flows, resolving market access issues, and attracting further investment.
According to officials from the British High Commission in Islamabad, the Dialogue will also focus on removing non-tariff barriers, enhancing supply chain integration, promoting innovation partnerships, and supporting Pakistan in developing sustainable and inclusive economic growth models.
Observers note that the UK’s engagement with Pakistan goes beyond trade figures and investments. Through various development assistance programs and institutional collaborations, the UK has long played a role in promoting governance reforms, education, and women’s economic empowerment in Pakistan.
Now, with the strategic shift toward high-tech industrial growth and green energy, British officials believe both countries can find new synergies that serve shared goals of innovation and climate resilience.
Mr. Yasin’s visit also reflects the UK’s effort to reinvigorate its commercial diplomacy in South Asia following Brexit, where the British government is pursuing independent trade deals and enhancing bilateral ties with key Commonwealth countries, including Pakistan.
His interactions with Pakistani officials and business leaders will touch upon emerging opportunities in e-commerce, fintech, agritech, and the renewable energy sector—areas in which the UK has deep expertise and global leadership.
Pakistan’s growing digital economy, combined with its young demographic and strategic location, presents considerable potential for British firms seeking expansion in South Asia.
The visit is also expected to encourage Pakistani exporters to take advantage of the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), a UK government initiative launched in 2023 to support developing countries through preferential tariffs and simplified trade rules.
The scheme enables over 3,000 Pakistani goods—including textiles, sports goods, leather products, and surgical instruments—to enjoy duty-free access to the UK market.
In his upcoming meetings, Mr. Yasin is also likely to reiterate the UK’s support for Pakistan’s climate resilience agenda. With Pakistan among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, British support in the areas of clean technology, disaster management, and green infrastructure remains critical.
Several UK companies and development agencies are already working in Pakistan on solar, wind, and hydropower projects aimed at enhancing the country’s energy sustainability.
Commenting on the UK’s long-standing trade relationship with Pakistan, a senior official at the British High Commission stated:
“This visit is not just about expanding trade numbers; it’s about helping both nations to future-proof their economies. We are looking at how the UK can support Pakistan’s economic reforms, job creation goals, and innovation ecosystem through long-term investment partnerships.”
Meanwhile, local trade bodies in Pakistan have welcomed the visit, viewing it as a positive step towards greater integration with global markets.
The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Pakistan Business Council (PBC), and various chambers in Karachi and Islamabad are expected to engage with the envoy during his stay to present proposals for increasing trade volumes and reducing procedural bottlenecks in the import-export regime.
The UK’s strategic initiatives such as Invest 2035 and Pakistan’s ongoing economic reform agenda create a favorable environment for collaboration.
With the global economy increasingly reliant on green growth and digital innovation, the trade envoy’s visit highlights the mutual potential of UK-Pakistan economic partnership to adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving global marketplace.
As the visit progresses, both sides hope to chart a new chapter in bilateral relations—one that goes beyond historical ties and taps into the opportunities of a future driven by knowledge, technology, and sustainable growth.
