Updated on
Summary
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Thursday that he hope to see stronger relations between Pakistan and UK in trade and investment. He was responding to media questions during his visit to Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) where he also rang the bell at a simple ceremony in the trading hall. He agreed to the questioner that Pakistan was still a better destination for investment. Responding to a question about his meeting with KSE board, Hague said that he and his colleagues were impressed by the positive developments in Pakistani stock market. Earlier, he rang the bell in the trading hall alongwith his delegation members. Acting Governor State Bank of Pakistan, Yaseen Anwar, former SBP Governor Dr Ishrat Hussain, KSE chairman Zubyr Soomro, managing director KSE Adnan Afridi and KSE directors were also present on the occasion. Later, talking to media, MD KSE said that British Foreign Secretary was given a comprehensive presentation on KSE working, the trend in capital market and demutualization of stock exchanges in Pakistan. He said that Mr Hague appreciated the significant development of capital market in Pakistan, particularly good rate of return and automation of trading, clearance and settlement, he added. Afridi said that he took keen interest in the demutualization process of Pakistani capital market. He said that British delegation discussed general issues of bilateral interest relating to financial services sector, employment, education, health, investment and energy shortages. Afridi said that British Foreign Secretary also referred to the inflow of a British investment of 650 million pounds in Pakistan in various fields. He told a questioner that British delegation did not discuss anything relating to risk management measures taken by Karachi Stock Exchange.
