KARACHI: Deputy Head of Mission of British Deputy High Commissioner Steve Crossman has stressed the need for taking more steps to increase trade volume between Pakistan and his country, which at present is very low against the potential. “Last year, it was $2.6 billion. There is a need to build our trade capacity. Pakistan government should make trade and investment process easier and faster,” he said during his chat with senior journalists and in short speech at a farewell dinner for him hosted by Mundia Group of Industries at his residence. The reception was attended by Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, diplomats from Korea, Bahrain, Oman, United States, Russia, Sri Lanka, prominent business, political and social figures who were welcomed by Chairman of Mundia Group M Illyas Mundia and his son M Basit Mundia. The British deputy head of mission said tht the trade between the two countries was good but it could be much better. “There were many constraints, like Pakistan’s negative image, difficult licensing process for foreign companies and complex taxation procedures. The law and order situation in Pakistan also needs further improvement. “People want to invest here in SMEs. It takes months to start a business due to slow and complex process of completing formalities. Thus their cash flow stuck up,” he mentioned, adding that unnecessary delays also created space for corruption. He said over 100 British companies were operating and doing well in Pakistan. “More companies might come in, if the investment and trade environment was made further attractive.” He said United Kingdom wanted prosperous and stable Pakistan. “Around 1.2 million Pakistanis are living there and contributing a lot to his country’s social and economic sectors. The people of Pakistani origin have even become members of UK parliament. Karachi is number one in hospitality. I have a large group of friends here. Many of them had contributed a lot to strengthening the relationship of the two countries,” he said in a statement. Chairman of Mundia Group of Industries M Illyas and M Junaid Mundia presented Ajrak and Sindhi cap to the deputy head of mission. Published in Daily Times, February 12th 2018.