KARACHI, Dec 8: The leader of the visiting Britain trade delegation, Michael J. Brosch has said that the delegation has come to explore opportunities for collaboration with Pakistani businessmen and entrepreneurs in order to demonstrate to the West that “Pakistan is a safe country to visit to and do business with.”

Mr Brosch is Director of international trade, Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Speaking at a meeting with the members of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) at the Federation House, he said that the delegation includes Anglo- Pakistani businessmen who are keen to promote trade and economic cooperation with Pakistan. They had come to explore areas and fields they could work together with their Pakistani counterparts and assist them, he added.

According to an FPCCI’s press release, Brosch said that due to shortage and high cost of labour in Britain, the British enterprises, which require higher number of workforce, are looking for countries for outsourcing their manufacturing facilities and Pakistan appeared a true working partner for them.

Giving an example, he said that the manufacturers of Rally Bicycles moved their manufacturing facility to China and last year they earned income of over 450 million pounds.

David Pearey, Deputy High Commissioner of Britain in Karachi, said that the visit was a step forward as it was the first trade mission from UK after over three years. He hoped that the visit would erase the poor and negative image of Pakistan abroad in terms of security and safety of foreign visitors.

He said that two more delegations from Britain would visit Pakistan in next few days, one was the visit of the British Minister of State for Trade and Investment and the other was the delegation of Pakistan-Britain Investment Forum.

He agreed that the British investment in Pakistan should have been higher but still it was the largest investor. He said that the trends for foreign investment in Pakistan were brighter in view of the measures taken by the Pakistan government to make the economy stronger and sounder.

FPCCI president, Riaz Ahmed Tata said that Britain was the fourth largest trading partner of Pakistan and enjoyed very close political and economic relations since the country’s creation. He called for urgent and concerted efforts to enlarge the scope,

volume and value of bilateral trade. He pointed out areas like information technology, value-added textile production and marketing, light engineering, fruit processing and tourism as mutually profitable joint ventures.

Khalid Sheikh, Chairman, Clifton Packaging Ltd., a member of the delegation said Pakistan can increase its exports by improving its packaging.

Rashid Iqbal, Chief Executive, Media Integrated Learning Centre Ltd., Essex said that his centre offers its own courses and accreditation certificates in media, communications, IT and design and technology related subject leading to degree programmes at the University of Greenwich, London.

Mark G Williams, export sales manager of Merton Steel Ltd., Newport said that his company is multi-discipline metal and plastic traders, specialising in oil and gas, petrochemical and shipbuilding sectors.