London, November 6, 2025: Pakistan’s Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, held a productive meeting with the UK’s Minister of State for Trade Policy, Mr. Chris Bryant, to advance economic cooperation under the Pakistan–UK Trade Dialogue Mechanism signed earlier this year.
The meeting focused on accelerating joint efforts to enhance trade, investment, and sectoral collaboration between the two countries.
Prof. Ahsan Iqbal reaffirmed that Pakistan and the United Kingdom share a historic bond rooted in deep cultural ties and people-to-people connections.
“Pakistan and the UK enjoy excellent political relations, but now is the time to match that strength on the economic front. Our goal is to turn goodwill into growth,” he said.
Highlighting that bilateral trade currently stands at £5.5 billion, the minister underscored the need to expand trade volumes and make the dialogue mechanism more action-oriented.
“With £5.5 billion in bilateral trade, we have only touched the surface. The Trade Dialogue Mechanism must now become the engine that unlocks our true economic potential,” he added.
Prof. Iqbal emphasized the importance of swiftly operationalizing the three working groups established under the mechanism to deliver measurable results.
“We cannot afford delays. The working groups must become operational immediately so our next ministerial meeting delivers concrete, measurable outcomes,” he noted.
Minister Chris Bryant acknowledged the significance of the mechanism — signed in July 2025 — which provides for annual ministerial engagements and calls for working groups to become functional within six months. He said technical discussions on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures and tariff structures will be vital to achieving practical progress, urging both sides to involve subject-matter experts.
In response to a question about Pakistan’s economic outlook, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal briefed on the government’s stabilization and growth efforts over the past three years.
“Pakistan has reversed the economic downturn of recent years. Inflation is falling, growth is recovering, and Pakistan is open for business like never before,” he said.
He highlighted the government’s commitment — under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership — to position Pakistan as a regional investment hub.
“Under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision, Pakistan is positioning itself as a regional investment hub — a country where investors see stability, opportunity, and long-term value.”
The minister identified information technology and digital services as key areas for Pak–UK collaboration, noting Pakistan’s strong pool of tech talent.
“Pakistan’s greatest asset today is its young, highly skilled tech workforce. Deep technology collaboration between Pakistan and the UK can create a new bridge between our economies.”
He also called for revitalizing joint business forums to facilitate private-sector partnerships and bilateral trade missions.
Both sides agreed to enhance cultural cooperation — including in fashion, design, music, arts, and tourism — as part of broader public diplomacy.
“Our cultural ties are a living bridge. Fashion, arts, design, and tourism can become powerful forces to bring our people even closer,” Prof. Iqbal said.
Concluding the meeting, the Pakistani minister extended an invitation to Mr. Chris Bryant to visit Pakistan.
“I have invited Minister Chris Bryant to visit Pakistan. I am confident he will find a country ready for transformation, investment, and partnership with the world,” he stated.
