United Kingdom to support Pakistan in economic development: Member British Parliament

Islamabad, September 02, 2013 (PPI-OT): The United Kingdom is interested to support Pakistan in education sector and contribute positively for its economic development, said Ms. Yasmin Qureshi, Pakistani-origin Member, British Parliament. She was addressing at a dinner hosted in her honor by Zafar Bakhtawari, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry at a local hotel.

She said Pakistan should focus on economic empowerment of women as women have the potential to play a crucial role for the development of its national economy. She said government should encourage women towards entrepreneurship and facilitate them by providing loans for starting small businesses like cottage industry etc. She said ending gender discrimination and enhancing women participation in the economic activities are the way forward for Pakistan to realize its full economic potential.

Yasmin Qureshi said no nation could develop without equipping its human resource with proper education and UK is quite serious to cooperate with Pakistan in education sector. She said as member of British Parliament she would play her role for grant of GSP Plus status by Europe to Pakistan so that its products could get enhanced access to European market. She said she is proud to be a Pakistani and would work for further strengthening Pak-UK bilateral trade and economic relations.

In his welcome address, Zafar Bakhtawari, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry lauded the services of Yasmin Qureshi and said that she is the first Pakistani-born female Muslim who was elected as the member of British Parliament, which is a great honor for whole Pakistani nation. Before her, Ch. Muhammad Sarwar, the current Governor Punjab was the first Pakistani Muslim who was elected as Member of British Parliament.

He said their election as members of British Parliament shows that Britain is an open society based on justice and gender equality and which provides equal opportunities to all talented people. It also shows that Pakistanis have great potential and talent and if provided with equal opportunities, they can rise and excel in every field and in any society.

Zafar Bakhtawari also appreciated the support of UK for grant of GSP plus to Pakistan by the European countries. He said grant of GSP plus by Europe to Pakistan would open new avenues for Pakistani exporters to export their textile products to huge European market.

He hoped that Yasmin Qureshi would continue to promote Pakistan’s economic interests in UK and play here role for bringing the two countries further closers in all areas of mutual cooperation.

For more information, contact:
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Chamber House, Aiwan-e-Sanat-o-Tijarat Road,
Mauve Area, G-8/1,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +9251 225 0526 and 225 3145
Fax: +9251 225 2950
Email: icci@brain.net.pk
Website: www.icci.com.pk