The United Kingdom has offered technical assistance to Pakistan to support reforms related to investment, trade and private-sector development, as officials from both countries discussed measures to strengthen Pakistan’s institutional and policy framework and improve the business environment. The discussions took place during a meeting between Jane Marriott CMG OBE, British High Commissioner to Pakistan, and Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb. The meeting focused on Pakistan’s economic reform priorities and opportunities to expand trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.
Jane Marriott was accompanied by Development Director Sam Waldock and Senior Economist Louie Dane during the meeting, according to a statement issued on Friday. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb welcomed the British High Commissioner and acknowledged the United Kingdom’s continued support for Pakistan’s economic reform efforts through technical assistance, expertise and knowledge sharing. He said Pakistan had moved from stabilisation towards sustainable, inclusive and responsible growth, with greater attention being placed on productivity, investment, exports and employment opportunities.
The British High Commissioner highlighted the UK’s continued interest in supporting Pakistan’s economic transformation through technical assistance focused on institutional and policy development. The proposed support would cover areas connected with investment, trade and private-sector development. Marriott also appreciated Pakistan’s successful issuance of a $3 billion dual-tranche sovereign Eurobond, describing it as significant for investor confidence and access to international capital markets. The discussions also stressed the importance of ensuring that UK assistance remains aligned with Pakistan’s economic priorities and contributes to practical reform measures.
The two sides reviewed a range of reform priorities, including fiscal management, tax administration, digitalisation, expenditure efficiency, trade and investment promotion, public investment and public-private partnerships. Aurangzeb emphasised the importance of coordination among government institutions to ensure consistency during implementation and to create a more predictable operating environment for businesses and investors. He also outlined the government’s efforts to improve the business environment and facilitate both domestic and foreign investment as part of its wider economic reform programme.
Public-private partnerships were another area discussed during the meeting, particularly their potential role in mobilising private capital for development projects. The finance minister highlighted the need for stronger project preparation, commercially viable structures and greater institutional capacity to support public-private partnership transactions. The British side expressed interest in contributing relevant technical expertise to these efforts, including support at the provincial level. The discussions therefore covered both federal-level reform priorities and areas where institutional capacity could be strengthened to improve the preparation and implementation of investment projects.
The meeting also addressed opportunities for expanding bilateral trade and investment and increasing the participation of UK businesses in Pakistan. The British High Commissioner highlighted the potential contribution of UK companies and diaspora networks to private-sector development, including efforts to help small and medium-sized enterprises grow and expand into international markets. Greater engagement between businesses in both countries was discussed as part of broader efforts to strengthen commercial ties and create additional opportunities for investment and trade.
The officials also exchanged views on opportunities in Pakistan’s aviation sector, including possible international financing and investment. The British side highlighted the potential role of international financing partners in supporting opportunities in the sector, while the finance minister said that relevant technical and commercial considerations would guide the process. The discussion placed aviation alongside trade, investment, public-private partnerships and private-sector development as areas where further cooperation and technical expertise could contribute to Pakistan’s broader economic objectives.
The talks reflect continued engagement between Pakistan and the United Kingdom on economic reform, investment and bilateral commercial cooperation. The proposed technical assistance is expected to focus on strengthening institutions, improving policy implementation and supporting reforms that can facilitate investment and private-sector activity. Both sides also discussed the importance of practical measures and coordination in translating reform priorities into implementation, while identifying trade, investment, small and medium-sized enterprises, public-private partnerships and aviation as areas with potential for further bilateral engagement.
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