UK getting EU trade concessions for Pakistan: British HC

British High Commissioner (HC) to Pakistan Adam Thomson on Tuesday said that his country is trying best to help Pakistan get access to EU market which is a critical issue.
“We are trying to get EU trade concession of GSP Plus for Pakistan to get more Pakistani products would be introduced in Europe”, he said.
Talking to a high-profile delegation that included Vice President (VP) Saarc Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( Saarc CCI) Iftikhar Ali Malik, VP Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce Industry (FPCCI) Amir Atta Bajwa, Chairman FPCCI, Capital Office, Hameed Akhtar Chadda, SVC, FPCCI Kanwar Qutbuddin and Chairman Media Malik Sohail, he said that he has been given task to double bilateral trade in four years.
“For this we need to thicken political relations, improve people-to-people contacts and invite British businessmen to invest in Pakistan”, he said.
Adam Thomson said that Pakistan has easiest business environment in region but UK’s SME sector was still reluctant to invest here which would be only possible if local business community extend cooperation.
The envoy of one of the seven most industrialised countries in the world said that British exporters were not as aggressive as their Pakistani counterparts.
“This has resulted in increasing share of trade in favour of the Pakistan”, he said.
He said that he was inviting British investors to explore energy, super markets and other promising sectors.
At the occasion, Iftikhar Ali Malik, who is also former president FPCCI, said Pakistan was being deprived of due rights while other countries like Bangladesh were getting concessions.
He said that Reconstruction Opportunity Zones was not a viable idea which he has already told US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a meeting.
Iftikhar Ali Malik said that he had been trying for peace since 15 years and now wanted support of diplomatic community. He asked UK to help boost regional trade.
Amir Atta Bajwa said that the relations between two governments depend on ties between people of these nations to which the High Commissioner agreed.
Hameed Akhtar Chadda raised questions about visa procedure and fees to get convincing answers.
To a question posed by Malik Sohail Hussian, the High Commissioner said that Pakistan has suffered more in war on terror than what it get in return. “Do More” is not a helpful phrase; we all [allies in war on terror] need to do more, he said.
Lauding an offer by Malik Sohail, Adam Thomson said that dispute resolution initiative by the FPCCI, Pakistan’s Apex body of trade and commerce, is to encourage the UK’s business community in a great way pushing them to make a beeline to invest in Pakistan.
The High Commissioner also agreed to explore business exchange programmes and assured support in upgrading FPCCI’s R&D section in the new building at Islamabad to boost its capacity.
Ruling out any mediation between Pakistan and India, he said that there is no better way outside trade to foster relations. However, he added that UK will continue to work for improved ties between two neighbours in the background.
Thomson said that Pakistani nation and businessmen are one of the most resilient people on earth who can face anything.
Ms. Sharon Mc Donald 2nd Political Secretary of the British High Commission, Jason Mumtaz, Trade and Investment officer, BHC and other officials were also present in the meeting.