British Deputy High Commissioner, Karachi and Director for Trade & Investment, Pakistan – Francis Campbell along with representatives from Business Birmingham and the UK Border Agency were the main speakers at the event.
While addressing the audience at the conference Campbell said, “The UK is a leading destination for global inward investment and offers an excellent platform for Pakistani firms. The UK’s membership of the EU offers Pakistani investors access to the world’s largest single market in terms of goods and services.
The Enhanced Strategic Dialogue launched by the Prime Ministers of the UK and Pakistan in 2011 set a target to increase bi-lateral trade between the two countries to £2.5 billion by 2015. With £1.9 billion worth of trade already flowing between the two countries, we are on the right track to meet the target.
UK is open for business and we want those who have the most to offer to settle in the UK. Entrepreneurs and investors can play a major part in UK’s economic recovery and the UK Government is committed to ensure that the UK becomes an attractive destination for them.”
The conference featured presentations from British diplomats and investment experts. It provided Pakistani entrepreneurs with details of the UK economy, industry, law & order, housing & living standards, and success stories. Investment experts from UKTI and Business Birmingham talked about what areas Pakistanis can invest in the UK and what help and incentives the UK government and various regional investment agencies have to offer for investors. Attendees also met some entrepreneurs from the UK who were able to give their experience on doing business in the UK. In the conference the UK Border Agency representative also highlighted the new Entrepreneur and Investor visa policy.
Managing Director of Globus, Ahmer Arif whilst speaking at the conference said, “Globus wants to establish itself as a one stop shop for Pakistanis wanting to invest in the UK. Using our network we can seek and bring business opportunities to Pakistan investors and connect them with reputable companies that will help them set up their business in the UK. Our aim is to make Pakistani business go global.”
Globus is effectively an event management company with a focus on events to promote Pakistan’s bi-lateral trade & investment. It plans to bring businesses and government together on one platform and engage with each other to generate new business ideas and opportunities. Globus will organise and conduct seminars, conferences, roundtables, focus groups, workshops and other events related to promotion of bi lateral trade & investment. Some of the key sectors, Globus plans to work on are Investment into the UK, Corporate Social Responsibility, Special Needs Education and Public Private Partnerships in Pakistan.
The conference was attended by business leaders, young entrepreneurs and other members of the business community interested in investing in the UK.