UK to extend technical support for economic improvement in Pakistan

Staff Writer

Faisalabad: Counsellor and Group Head (Economy & Trade) British High Commission Islamabad Maheshwar Mishra said this week that mainstreaming of the female population could help Pakistan take a quantum jump towards economic improvement and the UK is ready to extend technical support for the purpose.

He was speaking during his visit to Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI). He had a detailed discussion with President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) Dr Khurram Tariq on this occasion.

Maheshwar underlined the importance of bilateral-trade between Pakistan and UK and said that Britain was one of the major trading partners of Pakistan. “Pakistan is included among the top five countries getting maximum financial assistance from the UK,” he said and added that Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office was extending a technical support to Pakistan so that it could graduate from developing to the developed countries.

He said that UK supported foundations and institutions and had launched many projects in Pakistan to improve its economy. He said that “Karandaaz” had been floated to support the SME sector through micro-finance support. This foundation had utilised a grant of 140 million euro, he said and added that the programme continued for ten years and now many more similar institutions had emerged to support this sector. Maheshwar said that the private sector of developing countries must follow the pattern of developed countries by treading on the growth trajectory initially by coping and utilising the technologies. He said that the government must provide a predictable policy environment and the private sector should talk to their government to catalyse industrial growth.

Dr. Khurram Tariq, President FCCI explained in detail the role of Faisalabad and FCCI and said that textile was the main economic strength of the city. However, other sectors were also playing their role to expedite the overall economic growth, he said.

Maheshwar Mishra said, “IT is one of the most promising sectors and we are contemplating to develop Faisalabad as an IT city on the pattern of silicon valley.” He said that the UK needs highly skilled human resources and Pakistan was ready to provide it in accordance with their requirement. He requested Mishra to identify the segment in which human resource was required, so that people could be trained in that specific sector with the technical support of UK experts.

Senior Vice President Dr Sajjad Arshad, Vice President Muhammad Aslam Bhalli, former president Women Chamber Mrs Nighat Shahid, Muhammad Azhar Chaudhry, Jawad Asghar, Engineer Ahmad Hassan, Muhammad Tayyab, Rana Muhammad Fayyaz and other executive members were also present during this meeting.

Later Dr Khurram Tariq presented FCCI memento to Maheshwar Mishra Counsellor & Group Head (Economy & Trade) British High Commission Islamabad.