Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday held a productive meeting with the UK\u2019s Minister of State for Trade Policy Chris Bryant to advance Pakistan-UK economic cooperation under the recently signed Pakistan-UK Trade Dialogue Mechanism.
\nAhsan Iqbal reaffirmed that Pakistan and the United Kingdom share a deep, historic bond rooted in longstanding cultural ties and strong people-to-people linkages, a news release said.
\n\u201cPakistan and the UK enjoy excellent political relations, but now is the time to match that strength on the economic front. Our goal is to turn goodwill into growth,\u201d he added.
\nHighlighting that bilateral trade currently stands at \u00a3 5.5 billion, the minister emphasized the need to significantly expand trade volumes.
\n\u201cWith \u00a3 5.5 billion in bilateral trade, we have only touched the surface. The Trade Dialogue Mechanism must now become the engine that unlocks our true economic potential,\u201d he said.
\nHe highlighted the importance of swiftly operationalizing the three working groups established under the Trade Dialogue Mechanism to address priority areas and unlock commercial opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe cannot afford delays. The working groups must become operational immediately so our next ministerial meeting delivers concrete, measurable outcomes,\u201d he added.
\nMinister Chris Bryant acknowledged the significance of the Trade Dialogue Mechanism signed in July 2025, which provides for annual ministerial engagements and requires the working groups to become functional within six months.
\nHe noted that technical discussions around SPS measures and tariffs are essential, and emphasized the need for subject-matter experts to develop practical solutions.
\nResponding to a query about Pakistan\u2019s broader economic direction, Ahsan Iqbal briefed on the government of Pakistan\u2019s efforts over the past three years to stabilize and grow the economy.
\nHe stated, \u201cPakistan has reversed the economic downturn of recent years. Inflation is falling, growth is recovering, and Pakistan is open for business like never before.\u201d
\nHe highlighted the government\u2019s commitment, under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif\u2019s leadership, to position Pakistan as a regional investment hub.
\n\u201cUnder Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif\u2019s vision, Pakistan is positioning itself as a regional investment hub \u2013 a country where investors see stability, opportunity, and long-term value.\u201d
\nThe minister underscored Pakistan\u2019s strong potential in IT human resources and the technology sector, identifying multiple avenues for Pak-UK collaboration in technological and scientific domains.
\n\u201cPakistan\u2019s greatest asset today is its young, highly skilled tech talent. Deep technology collaboration between Pakistan and the UK can create a new bridge between our economies.\u201d
\nHe further stressed the need to revitalize joint business forums to facilitate private-sector partnerships.
\nBoth sides expressed a strong desire to enhance cultural cooperation, including in fashion and design, music and arts, and tourism.
\n\u201cOur cultural ties are a living bridge. Fashion, arts, design, and tourism can become powerful forces to bring our people even closer,\u201d Ahsan Iqbal said.
\nThe planning minister extended a formal invitation to Minister Chris Bryant to visit Pakistan and witness a country \u201cready for transformation, investment, and partnership with the world.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday held a productive meeting with the UK\u2019s Minister of State for Trade Policy Chris Bryant to advance Pakistan-UK economic cooperation under the recently signed Pakistan-UK Trade Dialogue Mechanism. Ahsan Iqbal reaffirmed that Pakistan and the United Kingdom share a deep, historic bond rooted […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":483724,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-512925","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n