Islamabad
In pursuit to position the Islamic Republic of Pakistan a key member of Commonwealth with the potential to assist in creating a powerful platform for meaningful engagement between businesses and Government decision-makers across the Commonwealth through CWEIC, the Rt Hon. Sir Hugo Swire KCMG, Deputy Chairman of Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council UK (CWEIC) and former British Parliamentarian visited Pakistan on 20th and 21st February 2020 on a personal invitation extended by the Chief Executive of Bestway Group and the Chairman of Conservative Friends of Pakistan (CFOP), Lord Zameer M. Choudrey CBE SI Pk.
During his stay in Islamabad, Sir Hugo Swire met with the Prime Minister, Mr. Imran Khan. He was accompanied by Sir M. Anwar Pervez and Lord Zameer M. Choudrey. Prime Minister’s advisor on Commerce, Mr. Abdul Razzaq Dawood and the Chairman Board of Investment Syed Zubair Haider Gilani were also present on the occasion.
Sir Hugo Swire apprised the Prime Minister about the activities and significance of CWEIC and how it could play an important role in promoting trade and investment between Pakistan and the Commonwealth countries, in particular the United Kingdom in post-Brexit scenario where various new opportunities should arise for Pakistan.
The Deputy Chairman CWEIC also invited the Prime Minister, Mr. Imran Khan to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and the Commonwealth Business Forum 2020 which is going to be held in Kigali, Rwanda (23 – 25 June) this year.
Sir Hugo Swire also held separate meetings with Mr. Abdul Razak Dawood and Mr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Advisor to the Prime Minister for Finance to discuss how Pakistan could take advantage of its Commonwealth links. The Government of Pakistan expressed its commitment and enthusiasm for future engagement with the Commonwealth, and showed keen interest to join CWEIC as a member and play a leading role at the upcoming Commonwealth Business Forum.
Lord Zameer M. Choudrey also hosted a private dinner in honour of the Deputy Chairman CWEIC which was attended by business leaders from across the country and key government ministers. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Choudrey thanked Sir Hugo Swire for taking time out to visit Pakistan. Mr. Choudrey underscored the importance of Pakistan’s relationship with the United Kingdom and reiterated his commitment towards further strengthening those ties and particularly promoting trade and investment between Pakistan, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
Sir Swire also held various meetings with prominent business leaders from across Pakistan. While CWEIC already has Bestway Group, the Employers’ Federation of Pakistan, Ijara Group, and Hussain Mills as its members from Pakistan, a number of Pakistan’s leading businesses showed keen interest in joining CWEIC as Strategic Partners.
