Southern Punjab areas: 'UK wants to help alleviate poverty'

The British government wants to help alleviate poverty and deprivation of people of southern Punjab and wants to raise their living standard by providing them education, technical know-how, and medical facilities. This was stated by Ben Stride, Political Secretary of British High Commission, while exchanging views with Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry subcommittee on women entrepreneurs and agriculture separately.
He offered to resolve the problems and miseries of the people by promoting economic activities in the area. Ms Kausar Shiekh, chairperson of Women Entrepreneurs subcommittee and Rabia Shehzad urged the British government to use its influence for setting up opportunity zones in the conflict hit areas and pleading Pakistan's case for enhanced and preferential trade access to the markets of European Union countries for put the country's economy back on track.
They said that it would help in addressing the issues of poverty and unemployment in southern Punjab areas, thereby winning the battle of hearts and minds. They said that Pakistan was not only involved in its own battle against extremism but was also fighting for a cause that concerned the international community, adding that militancy and terrorism were the common enemy and co-operation between the two countries must continue to fight the war.
They further said the two countries must work closely to further strengthen their relationship, especially in economic sphere, for the mutual benefit, adding that there was a need to further streamline the existing co-operation in cultural and educational development to promote understanding and bringing the people of the two countries further closer.
Upon this, Ben Stride said that UK is trying its best to help Pakistan get access to EU market, which is a "critical issue" for the economy of Pakistan. "We are trying to get EU trade concession of GSP Plus for Pakistan to get more Pakistani products to be introduced in Europe," he said.
He said that Pakistan has easiest business environment in the region - but UK's SME sector is still reluctant to invest here which will only be possible if local business community extends co-operation. He said that UK is one of the seven most industrialised countries in the world but British exporters are not as aggressive as their Pakistani counterparts. This has resulted in increasing share of trade in favour of Pakistan. He said that he is inviting British investors to explore energy, super markets and other promising sectors. Hina Naqvi and Zahida Khakwani were also present in the meeting. Agricultural subcommittee members Tariq Khan, Waseem Khan, and Wajahat Hussain Gardezi told the visiting secretary that southern Punjab was giving record revenue to both federal and Punjab governments but its economic condition was not as good as it should be. Mango of this region is very popular in the world.