Pakistan–UK Trade Dialogue Set to Unlock New Economic Opportunities -

PAKISTAN

Pakistan and the United Kingdom are moving toward a results-driven partnership aimed at significantly boosting bilateral trade and investment, following a high-level meeting between Pakistan’s Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, and the UK’s Minister of State for Trade Policy, Mr. Chris Bryant.

The meeting, held under the framework of the recently established Pakistan–UK Trade Dialogue Mechanism, focused on accelerating the operational phase of three working groups tasked with expanding trade, addressing technical barriers, and promoting investment collaboration.

Key Outcomes

Commitment to Rapid Implementation: Both sides agreed to make the Trade Dialogue Mechanism fully operational within the next six months, ensuring that the upcoming ministerial review produces concrete, measurable trade outcomes.

Focus on Trade Expansion: With current bilateral trade standing at £5.5 billion, the ministers emphasized turning goodwill into growth by tapping into untapped commercial potential between the two nations.

Technical Progress: The UK side reaffirmed the importance of advancing discussions on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures and tariffs, with experts from both countries developing practical, sector-specific solutions.

Private Sector & Cultural Engagement: Both ministers agreed to revitalize joint business forums to promote private-sector partnerships and to deepen cultural collaboration in fashion, design, music, arts, and tourism as tools for soft diplomacy.

Prof. Ahsan Iqbal highlighted that Pakistan’s economic fundamentals are improving — inflation is falling, growth is recovering, and investor confidence is returning. He reaffirmed the government’s goal of transforming Pakistan into a regional investment hub under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership.

“Pakistan is open for business like never before,” said Ahsan Iqbal. “Through the Trade Dialogue Mechanism, we aim to convert political goodwill into sustainable economic progress.”

Recognizing Pakistan’s strong IT talent and growing tech ecosystem, both sides identified technology and innovation as key areas for future collaboration.

Concluding the meeting, Minister Iqbal extended a formal invitation to Minister Bryant to visit Pakistan, expressing confidence that he would find “a country ready for transformation, investment, and partnership with the world.”

The dialogue marks a shift from discussion to delivery, setting the stage for a new era of Pakistan–UK economic cooperation built on action, outcomes, and shared prosperity. – ER News Desk

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