ISLAMABAD: The United Kingdom is examining the possibility of transforming trade dialogue into a stronger institutional mechanism with clearly defined sectors, working groups and implementation timelines.

This was stated by British High Commissioner Jane Marriott during a meeting with Commerce Minister Jam Kamal here on Thursday. The meeting reviewed various proposals to increase trade between the two countries.

According to an official announcement, Ms Marriott appreciated Pakistan’s economic reforms.

Pakistan and the UK have agreed to intensify bilateral trade engagement, strengthen business-to-business cooperation and explore upgrading the existing Trade Dialogue into a more structured economic and trade framework.

Jam Kamal welcomes Meta’s initiative to train 1,000 SMEs

Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul said two Pakistan-UK working groups were already operational, while additional groups had been proposed to broaden cooperation. He also called for a stronger role for the UK-Pakistan Business Council in facilitating businesses, promoting investment and generating commercially viable projects.

Mr Paul said Pakistan was strengthening its intellectual property enforcement regime and informed the meeting that the appointment of a new chairman of the Intellectual Property Organisation of Pakistan was expected shortly.

Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination and work towards holding the next Pakistan-UK Trade Dialogue in Islamabad in autumn this year.

The commerce minister said Pakis­tan was advancing tariff rationalisation, digitalisation and regulatory reforms to improve competitiveness and facilitate businesses. He said predictable tariffs, better access to finance and affordable industrial inputs would help small and medium-sized enterprises, e-commerce ventures and expo­rt-oriented enterprises expand into new markets.

Meta training

Meanwhile, the commerce minister welcomed Meta’s initiative to train 1,000 Pakistani SMEs in digital business and artificial intelligence (AI), while inviting the company to engage with Pakistan’s digital economy agenda.

Jam Kamal expressed these views during a meeting with a Meta delegation comprising Tehara Punchihewa and Vivian Liang.

The delegation presented its Small Business Growth Academy, a programme that will train 1,000 SMEs across Pakistan between August and November 2026 on Meta’s digital platforms, AI-powered business tools and online marketing strategies. The programme will be implemented by local partner AtomCamp across Pakistan, with participation offered free of cost.

The programme aims to improve digital skills, expand market access, and support women entrepreneurs and businesses in smaller cities through both physical and online training sessions.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2026