UK-Pak energy dialogue

FCO Minister for Pakistan welcomed the Prime Minister of Pakistan to open the UK-Pakistan Energy and Investment event.

The event at Lancaster House provided participants with a forum to discuss how Pakistan could address its energy challenges, sharing UK expertise and experience in the energy sector. The event also provided a platform to highlight investment opportunities in the Pakistan energy sector for potential UK investors. Annual bilateral trade between the UK and Pakistan overall exceeds £2 billion, which we aim to increase to £3 billion by 2015.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Tobias Ellwood MP, Minister for Pakistan, were joined by ministers from both the UK and Pakistan governments including Energy Minister, Matthew Hancock MP – underlining the commitment from government, industry leaders and trade experts at the highest level to help deliver real outcomes for Pakistan’s energy sector.

Pakistan government attendees included Minister for Defence, Water and Power Khawaja Asif, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Abbasi and Chairman of the Pakistan Board of Investment Miftah Ismail.  UK-Pakistan Trade Champion Baroness Nosheena Mobarik CBE and John Tucknott MBE, UKTI Director Trade and Investment for Pakistan led the UK discussion.

Discussions at the event also took place around improving energy capacity, renewable energy, market regulation and environmental issues. Ministers welcomed the prospect of greater UK engagement in the Pakistan energy sector.

Following the conference, Mr Ellwood said:“I was delighted to host Prime Minister Sharif at Lancaster House today for this event. The UK is committed to helping address Pakistan’s energy needs through sharing our policy expertise, experience and industry. The talks today have brought together an impressive range of policy officials and industry experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities in Pakistan’s energy sector.”