Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh met overseas Pakistanis in Manchester and Birmingham and urged them to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan. He highlighted key sectors and said remittances remained vital to the economy.
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh met members of the overseas Pakistani community during a visit to Manchester and Birmingham, where he encouraged them to consider investment opportunities in Pakistan, according to a statement issued on Saturday.
The minister travelled to the two UK cities despite what the statement described as a demanding schedule. During the visit, he attended a gathering held on the sidelines of a Commonwealth conference.
A reception was organised at Dean House by Naveed Dean, chairman of Supreme Finance UK. The event was attended by British parliamentarians Yasmin Qureshi, Afzal Khan and Connor Byad, as well as diplomats, judges, doctors and business figures.
According to the statement, the parliamentarians praised Sheikh for his role in promoting Pakistan’s trade and investment profile and also acknowledged his welfare work for underprivileged communities.
Sheikh thanked the Pakistani diaspora for the welcome extended to him during the visit. He said Manchester was home to many prominent people of Pakistani origin, including members of the UK parliament, lords, mayors and successful businesspersons.
The minister said remittances sent by overseas Pakistanis continued to serve as a key support for Pakistan’s economy. He also said Pakistan and the United Kingdom shared a longstanding relationship that stretched back decades.
Investment opportunities highlighted
Sheikh said Pakistan had remained an important trading partner for the UK since independence and added that bilateral ties were continuing to deepen under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
He told the gathering that Pakistan had become an appealing destination for foreign investment, citing government incentives and what he described as a business-friendly environment.
The minister identified agriculture, information technology, textiles, real estate, oil and gas, chemicals, and import-export trade as sectors offering significant potential. He urged overseas Pakistanis to examine these areas for possible investment.
The statement also said Sheikh referred to Pakistan’s expanding role in efforts aimed at peace and stability. In this context, he appreciated the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for efforts related to regional stability.
The visit formed part of the minister’s engagement with overseas Pakistanis in the UK, with the focus on strengthening economic links and encouraging members of the diaspora to play a greater role in trade and investment with Pakistan.
The statement described the reception in Manchester as an exceptional welcome for the minister during his visit.