ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said that Pakistan wanted to enhance strategic partnership with the UK and also to expand trade relations to new heights for which conducive environment existed between the two countries.
He was talking to British Minister for Trade and Investment Lord Green and Baroness Saeeda Warsi, who called on him here at the Prime Minister House.
The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of activating bilateral business and investment fora between the two countries and exchange of business and investment delegations to accelerate economic activity.
He appreciated the United Kingdom's support in the European Union for GSP
Plus (Generalized System of Preferences Plus) scheme for Pakistan so that its exports to the European Union could increase substantially.
The Prime Minister said that the UK's assistance to the earthquake victims and the flood victims was commendable as it helped mitigate their sufferings.
He said that the British assistance in the field of Primary Education and Industry was exemplary as the UK is the second largest investor in Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said that he was looking forward to his visit to the United Kingdom in the month of April to meet the British leadership and the business community there.
He also appreciated the UK's support in the Benazir Income Support Programme, which was the country's largest social safety net and was meant to target women and the poor of the poor.
The Prime Minister asked Lord Green to convey his best wishes to the British Prime Minister.
Lord Green said that Pakistan and the UK had extensive cooperation in many fields ranging from trade, culture, education and defence. He said that he would show-case Pakistan to the UK's businessmen.
He said that he would be going to Karachi and would meet the businessmen there with a view to further enhance trade between the two countries.
Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Minister for Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Minister for National Food Security Mir Israrullah Zehri, Chairman Board of Investment (BOI) Saleem Mandviwala and other government officials were present during the meeting.
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