LONDON – Pakistan’s exporters must not only create world-class products but should ensure full compliance of global standards as well as a total understanding of distribution requirements of the UK market”. This advice was given by Mr. Nafees Zakaria, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to UK to Ismail Sutter, Member Board of Directors of Employers Federation of Pakistan and Chairman of EFP Economic Council, during a focused meeting in London to discuss various economic opportunities that could benefit Pakistan and strengthen mutual collaboration between Pakistan and UK.
The top Pakistan diplomat to the Court of St. James added that EFP should play a prominent role as a facilitator to Pakistani exporters to define the export surplus and forcefully motivating them to sincerely comply with the UK and European standards in order to make inroads into the UK and European markets as well as taking advantage of GSP Plus. He further advised that industry-academia linkages are essential and that the collaboration between employers and educational institutions would create practical opportunities of internship and future placement for graduates from Pakistani universities. He assured that the High Commission will work with EFP-EC to identify and promote Pakistani investors for joint venture projects with their British counterparts. He agreed that the CPEC initiative can be highlighted as a living example of joint projects.
Earlier, Ismail Suttar, gave a detailed briefing about EFP and the EFP-EC. He informed that EFP is a nearly 70 years old organization that mostly represents the manufacturers and that it is an apex body of 30 Chambers and Associations as well as over 800 private sector manufacturers. EFP is a constituent of ILO representing employers and is a member of the International Organization of Employers, South Asian Forum of Employers, Confederation of Asia Pacific Employers, and the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council UK. The EFP-EC has evolved into a Think Tank as well as assisting member companies in the resolution of myriad economic issues. He assured His Excellency that EFP is structured to provide support, guidance, and training to benefit Pakistan’s manufacturing base to grow, to comply with all standards, and increase their global presence. He added that the membership of CWEIC has opened new vistas of promotion of trade and investment for EFP members.
Mr Nafees Zakaria appreciated the efforts of Mr Ismail Suttar in promoting Pakistani salt products in UK, especially cattle-licking salt. He was delighted to note that products of Hub Salt meet the compliance standards of the UK, which are the prerequisites of entry in the UK market. He suggested that companies like HUB Salt should prepare an agreement in principle for the appointment of distributors in the UK. He also assured that the Pakistan High Commission and the Consulate Generals in UK are fully committed towards the promotion of exports from Pakistan and are very much supporting Pakistani exporters and investors.
