The British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Philip Barton, said on Monday that businessmen in Sialkot could use the United Kingdom as a “springboard” for reaching the European Union market after signing a trade agreement under the generalized system of preferences facility.
“I have been impressed by Sialkot’s business leaders, striving to boost Pakistan’s economic and trade links with the world. The businesses community in Sialkot can use the United Kingdom as a springboard to access the wider EU market, after the signing of a trade agreement under GSP+. The innovative products manufactured by skilled artisans here are also famous around the UK, he told industrialists in Sialkot during his meeting with them on Monday.
During his time in one of Pakistan’s largest industrial hubs, the high commissioner held a range of trade-related meetings with prominent business leaders, said a statement issued by the British High Commission. “The Scottish bagpipes produced by MH Geoffrey & Company are one example of the strong cultural and business links between the UK and this part of Pakistan,” he said.
Barton visited the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industries and met officials including Chamber’s President Dr Sarfraz Bashir to talk about potential trade opportunities for British firms. He also visited the Surgical Instruments Association of Pakistan and M H Geoffrey and Company, famous for manufacturing Scottish Bagpipes, and Malik Sports, one of Pakistan’s largest manufacturers of cricket and hockey equipment.