High commissioner woos Welsh investors to Pakistan

KARACHI: Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High Commissioner to United Kingdom (UK), has said prospects of trade and investment between Pakistan and Wales particularly in agriculture, energy, and education sectors were enormous, a statement received here from Cardiff said on Friday.

“Community members can be instrumental in building bridges between Pakistan’s various regions and Wales,” Abbas said at a meeting with the members of Welsh Senedd (national assembly for Wales).  “There is a need to explore the huge scope for trade and investment in Pakistan.”

Abbas also invited the Welsh assembly members to visit Pakistan for a firsthand experience. 

“Pakistan was open for business and people should visit for themselves to explore the vast potential that exists and not be carried away by the wrong perceptions that are fed by certain media,” the high commissioner told WalesOnline media group in an interview. 

He urged the youth amongst the different communities including British Pakistanis to get enter the mainstream and play an actively positive role in British society.  From the Welsh perspective, Abbas identified the key areas for mutually beneficial cooperation. “These included agriculture, with dairy products as one sub sector, renewable energy projects, financial services sector, insurance services, and collaboration of universities in Wales with Pakistani higher education institutions,” said he. 

On regional politics in South Asia, the high commissioner stressed on the need for greater connectivity in the region that is one of the most disconnected, on enhanced trade and good relations with neighbouring countries. 

“Pakistani markets have a lot to offer for Britain in the post Brexit period and British entrepreneurs can benefit in Pakistan to a large extent, particularly in light of the landmark China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects that are currently underway and can help regional trade and economic integration,” Abbas said.