UK envoy sees economic stability.

KARACHI -- British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott has said that Pakistan will see general elections and economic stability in the next six months and she strongly believes the 'stability and continuity' will encourage UK businesses to make new investment decisions after March 2024 onwards.

Speaking at a ceremony held at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Monday to mark the new investment made by Haleon Pakistan in the healthcare sector, she said 'after the elections, I hope...once you have (economic) stability, continuity you will see the pipeline of interest in British businesses (for new investment decisions for Pakistan).'

'Not in the six months, but I hope in the six months after that (polls and economic stabilisation).'

Haleon, the British pharma company, formerly GSK Consumer Healthcare, announced new investment of $12 million (over Rs4 billion) in Pakistan to expand production lines for Panadol and CaC1000, and export them to the Middle East, Far East and African countries.

Marriott said Pakistan's tech sector had particularly a lot of potential to attract new investment next year. 'The UK specialises in services in technology and life sciences.'

She said that of course the economic relationship was at the heart of Pakistani-UK experience and that's why 'she is delighted to be here to celebrate Haleon's investment'.

'The UK is committed to strengthening economic ties between our two countries, building that long-term trading partnership and promoting Pakistan as an attractive market for British firms.'

Pakistan and the UK have got a very healthy, growing trade relationship and total trade between the two countries stands at 4.4 billion pounds. 'But this undershoots our potential. I want to build on this base. I want to combine world-leading British expertise and financing with Pakistani vision, capability and skills, as exemplified by Haleon's investment,' she said.

Haleon's investment is proof of both the resilience and strength of opportunities in Pakistan's economy. The investment would expand production capabilities and develop product lines to meet the growing healthcare demand of Pakistani people whilst providing a 'vital export link and foreign revenue for the country', the high commissioner said.

She said about 200 British companies were operating and investing in...