LAHORE: The most challenging target for us is to increase the bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and Britain to £2.5 billion in 2014 and raise it to £3bn in 2015, said British High Commissioner Philip Barton on Tuesday.

Meeting with the newsmen, the new British high commissioner was hopeful that the target was achievable.

Talking about the volume of bilateral trade, Mr Barton said that it was recorded at £2.1bn in 2012, while the final figure for 2013 has yet to be compiled.

“There is an ease of doing business in Pakistan compared to other states in the region, however the real issue is the country’s image problem,” he said.

Whenever one switched on the television, there is always news of law and order problems and terrorism, he said.

“However, the media alone cannot be blamed for the situation,” said Mr Barton while stressing on the need for raising awareness about the ‘real Pakistan’ among British businessmen.

He said that there were exciting business opportunities in Pakistan and particularly in the Punjab.

He further hoped that more British businesses will come to Punjab in the next two to three years.

Some 100 or so British companies were already doing good businesses in Pakistan, he added.

“More private British companies are making investments here on one hand while the two governments are closely working to increase bilateral trade as strong commercial relationship with Pakistan is the top priority of the UK government,” said the high commissioner.

Recently two private British companies expressed interest in the Quaid-i-Azam Solar Park.

PAN African Solar Company had already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Punjab government while two other companies were also working in the energy sector.

Terming the award of GSP Plus status to Pakistan a big opportunity to increase its presence in EU and UK markets, he said that Pakistani businesses should take full advantage.

On the issue of bilateral trade between India and Pakistan, the high commissioner opined that it was ‘underdeveloped’ but going by statistics it shows huge potential.

He said the UK supported bilateral trade between the two countries, however the two governments will have to make a final decision in this regard.