Business Recorder
The Pakistan government has proposed moving towards a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom (UK), calling it a “natural progression” in their expanding trade partnership. The proposal was discussed during a high-level meeting between Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Edward Llewellyn, Director General Political of the United Kingdom, in Islamabad, where both sides discussed bilateral trade, regional security, and the ongoing global energy situation, read an official statement on Thursday. British High Commissioner Jane Marriott also accompanied the DG. During the meeting, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening trade relations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. Ahsan Iqbal, UK minister discuss ways to deepen economic cooperation They reviewed progress on the Pakistan–UK Trade Dialogue and appreciated the establishment of the working group on healthcare and life sciences. Both sides agreed on the need to activate working groups to enhance cooperation in IT, agriculture, professional services and education and skills. Speaking on the occasion, Jam Kamal said that Pakistan is fully committed to continuing structural reforms to improve its trade environment and attract foreign investment. He noted that the government’s tariff policy and regulatory improvements are aimed at making Pakistan a more competitive and business-friendly destination. Kamal emphasised that “consistency in policy and gradual reforms are key to building long-term investor confidence.” Secretary of Commerce Jawad Paul also highlighted that the ongoing trade dialogue could serve as a strong foundation for future cooperation. He proposed that both countries should consider moving towards an FTA in the longer term, terming it a natural progression of the growing economic partnership between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. The UK side requested to consider their suggestions regarding proposed changes in Pakistan’s intellectual property framework and stressed the importance of maintaining policy certainty. In his remarks, Ed Llewellyn underlined that investor confidence depends not only on policies but also on clear signalling from the government. He said that timely consultation and transparency would help reassure international businesses and encourage further investment. Both sides also discussed the issue of GI [Geographical Indicators] and trade mark registration of Pakistani Basmati Rice and agreed to continue engagement on the matter. On the global front, both sides discussed the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, expressing concern over rising shipping costs and risks to global trade. Pakistan raised the issue of increased maritime charges affecting its exports and called for a fair assessment of risk zones. The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to maintain close coordination and continue dialogue to address shared challenges and further strengthen Pakistan–UK relations in trade, energy, and regional stability.
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