Pakistan–UK Trade, Investment Cooperation Fostering Institutional Linkages: Commerce Minister

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Jul, 2025) Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, held a series of high-level engagements in London aimed at deepening Pakistan–UK trade and investment cooperation and fostering institutional linkages across priority sectors.

As part of his ongoing official visit to the United Kingdom, in a meeting with the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), the Minister emphasized that the recently launched UK–Pakistan Trade Dialogue is poised to usher in a new era of predictability, transparency, and business-friendly policies in bilateral trade, said a release issued here on Friday.

He encouraged the Chamber to explore sector-specific Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Pakistani chambers and trade bodies to institutionalize collaboration and unlock joint opportunities.

Highlighting Pakistan’s surging IT exports, which crossed USD 3.2 billion in FY 2023–24, the Minister invited LCCI’s members to engage with Pakistan’s dynamic tech ecosystem, now ranked second globally for freelance IT professionals.

He stressed the importance of collaboration in emerging fields like artificial intelligence and blockchain, and outlined Pakistan’s innovative fintech capacities, including early blockchain-powered remittance solutions and growing interest in digital assets and decentralized finance.

The Minister also underscored Pakistan’s readiness for green investment, inviting UK firms to partner in Pakistan’s renewable energy transition. He proposed regular business forums and LCCI-led trade missions to Pakistan focusing on underutilized sectors.

At the Pakistan Britain Business Council (PBBC), the Minister recognized the Council’s vital role in bridging public and private sector actors across both countries.

The Council lauded Pakistan government's efforts in reviving PIA's operations to UK and stressed hiw this will help in upping trade of perishables.

Minister encouraged PBBC to expand its support to non-traditional Pakistani exports and SMEs, particularly in IT services, women-led entrepreneurship, and cultural industries. He stressed the importance of academic and industry linkages, diaspora engagement, and leveraging the Council’s platform for tourism promotion and trade policy feedback.

In his meeting with the UK–Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UKPCCI), the Minister called for enhanced matchmaking between UK importers and reliable Pakistani suppliers.

He urged the Chamber to mobilize diaspora-led investments in Pakistan through joint ventures, franchising, and startup incubation, and proposed greater support for tourism and culture-focused initiatives.

He also highlighted the need for joint accelerators, digital services B2B platforms, and tech-centered business missions to enhance Pakistan’s visibility in the UK digital economy.

A member of the chamber spoke to Minister about introducing a solar powered household heating appliances to the Pakistan market, while another member showed interest in travelling to Pakistan to establish supply chains for in demand fruits and vegetables exportable from Pakistan to UK's largest retailers.

The Minister directed Trade Wing's team to get in touch with the businesses and pursue the commercial connectivity.

The day ended with a dinner with London's Pakistani community's academics, business professionals, IT sector companies and software houses. The Minister stressed on role of private sector, need of further engagement with Chambers, businesses and SMEs in Pakistan.

These engagements underscore Pakistan’s renewed commitment to institutionalizing commercial diplomacy and fostering value-added trade partnerships that respond to the evolving dynamics of the UK market.