LCCI officials, UK diplomat hold talks on how to enhance trade

LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) hosted head of the British High Commission in Lahore Ben Warrington for a high-level discussion on enhancing bilateral trade, investment, and cooperation between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.

The meeting was attended by LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Sehgal, Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh, Vice President Khurram Lodhi, EC Members Firdous Nisar and Amna Randhawa and other key members of the business community.

In his opening remarks, LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol highlighted the Chamber’s strategic focus on supporting SMEs, fostering industrial diversification, and promoting investment-friendly policies. He said that Lahore, being the industrial and cultural capital of Pakistan, is well-positioned to lead the country’s economic transformation.

He emphasized that the Chamber is working to engage the youth in entrepreneurial ventures, build capacity, and add value to exports in key sectors including technology, manufacturing, textiles, automotive, and food and beverages.

“We must explore new markets, create high-value products and ensure our businesses are fully equipped to compete globally,” he said.

Responding to the Chamber’s proposals, Ben Warrington acknowledged Lahore’s status as a vital commercial hub and expressed the UK’s willingness to expand cooperation with Pakistan’s private sector. He said that strengthening SMEs, boosting digital innovation, and facilitating trade reforms are crucial for unlocking economic opportunities.

“Supporting SMEs, tech, and IT-enabled sectors is critical for economic growth and UK-Pakistan cooperation,” he remarked.

He added that the UK government is already supporting development programs in Punjab and is exploring new initiatives to promote investment, entrepreneurship, and regulatory efficiency. He also emphasized deepening collaboration through business exchanges, partnerships in emerging technologies, and climate-resilient economic planning.

Saigol further briefed the delegation on LCCI’s initiatives in areas such as promoting sustainability, creating awareness on climate adaptation, reducing industrial carbon footprints, and encouraging renewable energy. He said that Pakistan’s expanding tech landscape, including freelancing, gaming, and software development, offers a strong foundation for joint ventures with British enterprises. “We want to empower our industries to adopt sustainable practices while enhancing export competitiveness,” the LCCI President added.

Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh thanked the British delegation for their visit. He said that such engagements not only strengthen diplomatic and economic ties but also create knowledge-sharing opportunities for Pakistan’s business community. Both sides agreed to enhance business delegations, support B2B interactions, and work collectively to attract UK investors to Pakistan’s promising industrial and technological sectors.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025