Pakistan, UK Agree to Deepen Trade Partnership, Plan Stronger Economic Framework
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Kingdom have agreed to strengthen bilateral trade relations by expanding business-to-business cooperation and exploring the transformation of their existing Trade Dialogue into a more structured economic and trade framework.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, and British High Commissioner Jane Marriott at the Ministry of Commerce in Islamabad. Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul and senior officials from both sides also attended the discussions.
During the meeting, Jam Kamal Khan highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing economic reforms aimed at creating a more competitive business environment. He said the government is implementing tariff rationalisation, digitalisation and regulatory reforms to facilitate trade and attract investment.
The minister noted that predictable tariffs, improved access to finance and affordable industrial inputs would enable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), e-commerce businesses and export-oriented industries to expand into international markets.
He also identified Africa and Central Asia as emerging destinations for Pakistani exports and stressed the importance of greater cooperation in standards, certification, product traceability, environmental compliance and value addition.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott welcomed Pakistan’s economic reform agenda and said the UK is considering upgrading the current Pakistan-UK Trade Dialogue into a stronger institutional mechanism with dedicated sectors, working groups and clear implementation timelines.
Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul informed the meeting that two Pakistan-UK working groups are already operational, while additional groups have been proposed to expand bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.
He also emphasized the need to strengthen the role of the UK-Pakistan Business Council in promoting investment, facilitating private-sector collaboration and developing commercially viable projects.
The secretary further stated that Pakistan is enhancing its intellectual property enforcement system, adding that the appointment of a new Chairman of the Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan is expected soon.
Both countries agreed to maintain close coordination and work towards holding the next Pakistan-UK Trade Dialogue in Islamabad during autumn 2026, reflecting their shared commitment to expanding trade, investment and long-term economic cooperation.