High Commissioner visits Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce
H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas visited Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) on Saturday, 27th April 2018. He was greeted by Mr. Paul Faulkner, CEO GBCC, Mr. Steve Brittan, Former President GBCC, Mr. Nasir Awan, Director GBCC & former President Asian Business Chambers of Commerce (ABCC), Mr. Qasim Majeed, newly elected President of ABCC, Mr. Russel Jeans, Chief operating officer GBCC, Mark Sankey, Head of Department for International Trade (DIT) team & Sunny Arif Committee member of ABCC.
During the meeting, Mr. Paul Faulkner briefed the High Commission on the role of GBCC and the opportunities available for promotion of trade and investment especially in post Brexit scenario. He further added that GBCC has huge following among the business community and the available opportunities in Pakistan can be disseminated among them through their web/social media channels.
Mr. Nasir Awan, President ABCC said that ABCC is already working to promote the institutional linkages between district Chambers of Commerce in Pakistan and the GBCC. He recalled the recently held Pak-UK Investment Conference in December 2017 which was a great success in bringing the business community from both the countries together and to encourage forging and improving trade ties. He underlined the fact that the true word about the potential of Pakistani businesses and the improved security situation is not getting out which is not encouraging the local businesses to go to Pakistan.
High Commissioner thanked the GBCC for hosting the reception. He endorsed the view of Mr. Nasir Awan and Mr. Steve Brittan, who had been doing business in Pakistan for the last many years that the improved investment and trade opportunities were not getting out to the local businesses in the UK commensurate with the true potential in Pakistan. He highlighted the potential of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Pakistan’s economy which was registering a growth rate 5.5%. He said that in the context of 2022 Commonwealth games and the projects like High Speed 2 (HS2), Birmingham would become a very attractive hub for promoting businesses and attracting trade opportunities.
The following were agreed in the meeting:
• GBCC would host a “Pakistan Day in the Chamber building within next 3 months to apprise the business community about trade & investment opportunities in Pakistan;
• The Consulate will share data with the GBCC on monthly basis to be disseminated to GBCC digital e-mail data base of over 16000 business enteritis; and
• In the prelude to the Commonwealth games 2022, the Consulate together with the GBCC will organize events involving Sialkot and other Pakistan Chambers.
