Lord Mayor of London visits Pakistan to boost trade ties with Islamabad

Islamabad [Pakistan], Jan. 28 (ANI): The Lord Mayor of London Alderman Dr Andrew Parmley, recently visited Pakistan to strengthen trade links between London and Islamabad. Dr Parmley, met business and government leaders in Karachi and Islamabad, and discussed discussing how London can work more closely with Pakistan as it develops an international presence in financial and professional services. The visit also supported the 70th anniversary of British-Pakistani relations, a new initiative launched last week in Islamabad. The Lord Mayor also met with several senior industry figures in Karachi, including representatives from Meezan Bank and the State Bank of Pakistan, said an official press release. He hosted several round table discussions on debt markets, education, and fintech. In Islamabad, he promoted London's financial and professional services industries and suggested that they could help develop world-class infrastructure, alongside the ongoing China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), in Pakistan. Dr. Parmley also raised the subject of education and training at an education roundtable attended by government ministers and representatives from Pakistani universities. He wrapped up his visit in Pakistan with a meeting with the Chair of the Federal Board of Investment, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Dr Miftah Ismail. The Lord Mayor was accompanied on his trip by a business delegation from British businesses looking to establish, or expand their operations in Pakistan, including Senior Manager Ali Abdul Aziz of Deloitte, Managing director of MomoEssa Capital Management Farhan Rizvi, and Garbhan Shanks, Partner at global law firm Michelmores. He was also accompanied by David Clark, Head of the Economic Crime Directorate at the City of London Police, the UK's leading agency on cyber-crime and its investigation. Speaking about his visit, Parmley said, "My trip to Pakistan has been a great success, full of productive meetings and roundtables. I enjoyed seeing firsthand the famous Pakistani hospitality and I'm sure a new golden era of Pakistani-British relations is beginning. Commenting on the Lord Mayor's visit, British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Thomas Drew said, "The visit of the Lord Mayor of the City of London shows how much of a priority Pakistan and its vibrant economy is for the UK. The Lord Mayor is one of the most senior figures in British business and represents the world's biggest financial hub. British companies are recognizing the growth in the economy in Pakistan - and its potential - and this will help launch a stronger trade relationship in 2017." Dr. Parmley is a spokesman for the UK's financial and professional services industries, and is the leader of London's 'Square Mile' or financial district. (ANI)