Business tie-ups critical to boost bilateral trade: UK

KARACHI: The United Kingdom (UK) and Pakistan were closely working to manifold bilateral trade and partnerships between forward-looking players from the two countries could help catalyse the process, a trade envoy said on Friday.

“Collaborations between innovative and dynamic companies like Marley and Dadex are crucial in providing the support needed in enhancing trade,” Elin Burns, British Deputy High Commissioner said at a signing ceremony hosted by his office.

Marley Plumbing and Drainage Solutions, a leading British company, and Dadex Eternit Ltd, the pioneer in thermoplastic piping in Pakistan, inked an agreement of cooperation during the event.

Burns, who is also Director for Trade in Pakistan, said he wished both companies all the success in this partnership and in their future ventures.

The event was attended by leading architects, consultants and distinguished guests from the construction industry.

A statement issued by the high commission said this partnership would allow Pakistan’s construction market to access international quality products along with the leading technical, installation and value engineering support from the UK.

Doug Rose, export director, Marley Plumbing, said for 60 years the Marley brand has been recognised globally for offering innovative solutions, unrivalled technical support and a wealth of product and installation knowledge to the construction industry and our partners.

“We are excited about this collaboration and foresee a great future,” Rose said.

Qazi Sajid Ali, chief executive officer, Dadex said, innovation and collaboration were key levers of the Dadex strategy to grow smartly and offer quality products and solutions to the piping industry.

“Launching Pakistan’s first and only authentic Antimicrobial Pipes, Dadex is now achieving yet another milestone by joining hands with Marley,” Ali added.

Danish Dada, CEO International Division, Dadex, said since 1959, the Dadex has evolved into a company that upheld authenticity as a crucial factor in its business practices.

“Be it in serving customers, product quality or relationship with clients -

the underlying aim is the collective convergence of all values under the principle rule of truthfulness,” Dada said.

He added that Dadex’s vision conveys the ethics of the its founder chairman, Kassim Dada and served as a legacy of fundamental righteousness in all business practices.

On Thursday, commerce ministry in a statement said Britain has promised

Pakistan of more generous market access post Brexit than what it currently has under Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) Plus regime.

The statement said Greg Hands, the UK minister of state for trade policy, also assured Pervaiz Malik, the federal commerce minister, of working with Pakistan to promote it as a safe destination for British investment in a meeting.

Malik met with the British minister on the sidelines of “Commonwealth Business Forum” which was an integral part of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2018 held in London.

Britain, which would exit the European Union in less than a year, is scrambling to cut new trade deals. London is now betting on its erstwhile colonies to help fill up the trade vacuum its exit from the 28-member bloc would create.

The UK is Pakistan’s biggest trade partner in Europe with bilateral trade close to $2.18 billion in 2016. Pakistan's exports were $1.557 billion against imports of $0.610 billion from the UK. The balance of trade is in Pakistan’s favour.