ISLAMABAD, Nov 19: British High Commissioner in Pakistan Robert Brinkley has dispelled the impression that British companies operating in Pakistan were winding up their projects.

Talking to Federal Minister for Privatisation Syed Naveed Qamar here on Wednesday, he said that British entrepreneurs working in Pakistan were having continued interest to work and safeguard their businesses in Pakistan and were looking forward to opportunities to further increase their operations by expanding the existing projects and to explore new avenues for investment.

He said that Britain’s companies had tremendous interest to take part in the Privatisation Programme of Pakistan.

Syed Naveed Qamar, Federal Minister for Privatisation, lauded the interest shown by the British companies and said that the government was committed to the privatisation of public sector entities through a competitive, transparent, fair and open process to improve the efficiency, production, bring in expertise, latest technology and fresh investments in the largest interest of the nation and the country.

Syed Naveed Qamar appreciated the offer made by the British envoy for enhancing the interaction between the British investors and Pakistan’s Privatisation Commission and assured that strategy would be devised to have constant touch with UK’s business groups.

Robert W Gibson, Deputy High Commission, was also present during the meeting.

The UK is the second largest overseas investor in Pakistan and over 100 British companies are currently operating in the country.

There is a huge imbalance in the trade with tilt obviously in favour of the United Kingdom. Major Pakistani imports from the UK are specilalised industrial machinery, power generation machinery, telecommunication and broadcasting equipment, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and medical products and Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.

Major Pakistani exports to the UK are textiles, rice, leather/leather products, carpets and fruit.