Islamabad – Pakistan and the United Kingdom have signed a formal agreement to boost bilateral trade and investment through the establishment of a structured Trade Dialogue Mechanism and a new UK–Pakistan Business Advisory Council.
The agreement was signed in Islamabad by Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and UK Minister of State for Trade and Investment Douglas Alexander during a high-level visit aimed at enhancing economic cooperation between the two nations.
Under the newly agreed framework, both countries will engage in regular dialogue through working groups focusing on priority sectors such as digital trade, renewable energy, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. The mechanism also includes provisions for joint reviews and policy coordination to resolve trade barriers and unlock new opportunities for private sector collaboration.
As part of the initiative, the UK government has pledged up to £200,000 in technical assistance to support Pakistan’s efforts to attract foreign direct investment. This includes assistance for investor outreach, matchmaking, and reforms to ease doing business.
Speaking at the signing, Douglas Alexander emphasized the importance of a stable and transparent economic framework, saying, “When fully operational, this trade dialogue will open new doors for businesses in both countries, particularly in healthcare and technology sectors.”
According to the British High Commission, bilateral trade between Pakistan and the UK reached £4.7 billion in 2024, reflecting a 7.3% increase over the previous quarter, driven by growth in goods and services exchange.
The UK–Pakistan Business Advisory Council, composed of business leaders from both countries, will also play a critical role in advising on trade policy, market access, and investment facilitation.
Analysts view the accord as a positive step toward deepening economic ties, especially at a time when Pakistan is seeking to diversify its trade partnerships and stabilize its economic outlook through foreign collaboration.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.
