Latest news with #JaneMarriott
Arab News
5 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan, UK discuss strengthening cooperation in railways sector
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi and British High Commissioner Jane Marriott on Wednesday discussed bilateral cooperation between the two nations with a special focus on railways, state-run media reported. Pakistan's railway sector faces several challenges such as an aging infrastructure, outdated tracks, locomotives and signal systems. Poor maintenance and a lack of modern safety measures often contribute to train derailments and accidents. Notable tragedies include the 2005 Ghotki train disaster, which killed over 130 people and a 2021 train collision that left at least 65 people dead. As opposed to that, the UK has one of the densest railway networks in Europe with almost all major towns and cities connected by rail. 'Pakistan and the United Kingdom have emphasized joint measures to further strengthen their bilateral trade and economic relations, with special focus on the railways sector,' state-run media reported following Abbasi's meeting with Marriot in Islamabad. State broadcaster Radio Pakistan said Abbasi called for 'a comprehensive strategy' between Pakistan and the United Kingdom to develop and modernize the former's railway sector. 'He said Pakistan is ready to fully benefit from UK's expertise in modernizing the railways infrastructure in the country and improving performance of this sector,' Radio Pakistan said. Abbasi said the two countries would continue to work together on mutual interest railways projects that will benefit their economies and improve public transportation. Pakistan has recently attempted to improve its railway infrastructure to ensure economic growth and development. In March, Pakistan and United Arab Emirates (UAE) officials agreed to expand bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the railways sector. Abbasi had said Pakistan Railways is continuously working to improve its services through long-term agreements with domestic and international suppliers, emphasizing that Islamabad offers a business-friendly environment and presents significant opportunities for investors.
Business Recorder
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Abacus hosts British HC delegation to strengthen tech collaboration
LAHORE: Abacus, a leader in delivering world class technology, outsourcing, and consulting solutions, was honoured to host a distinguished delegation from the British High Commission at its Lahore BPO office on 24th May 2025. The delegation, led by Jane Marriott CMG OBE – British High Commissioner to Pakistan – included Ben Warrington, Head of the Lahore Office, and Reema Salman, Chevening Alumni Engagement Officer. The visit underscored shared ambitions to deepen technology collaboration and economic ties between the UK and Pakistan. The delegation engaged with Abacus's leadership team, including Fatima Asad-Said – CEO of Abacus, Faeza Khan – Chief Strategy Officer, and Shaheryar Rafiq Butt – Global Head of the BPO Division, along with other senior executive leaders, to discuss opportunities for expanding IT and technology partnerships. British High Commissioner, Jane Marriott CMG OBE, said: 'Abacus is a fantastic example of how strong UK-Pakistan partnerships can reap benefits for both countries. Both the UK and Pakistan's IT sectors are powerhouses of talent and innovation. There is huge potential to be found in collaboration.' Fatima Asad-Said, CEO of Abacus, remarked: 'This visit reaffirms the strategic importance of the UK as a pivotal market for Abacus. We are poised to scale our impact through partnerships that leverage British expertise and Pakistan's tech prowess. We appreciate the High Commissioner's proactive engagement and look forward to translating these discussions into impactful collaborations.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
CM Maryam meets UK High Commissioner
LAHORE: Appreciating the positive and prudent role of the United Kingdom in the recent Pakistan-India strained relations, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif said the Punjab government is determined to further expand its partnership with UK so as to explore new avenues of opportunities for enhancing bilateral cooperation. The CM said this during a meeting with the British High Commissioner Jane Marriott. A luncheon was also hosted in the honour of outgoing Political Advisor to the British High Commission Zoe Ware on the occasion. Matters pertaining to mutual interest, bilateral cooperation, education, investment, environmental protection and further promotion of partnership in the field of governance were discussed. The Chief Minister paid glowing tributes to the outgoing Political Advisor to the British High Commission Zoe Ware and appreciated her diplomatic services. The Chief Minister offered to further enhance mutual cooperation in the fields of education, trade, investment, climate protection and governance. She lauded that Political Advisor Zoe Ware performed her duties with integrity, hard work and with a spirit to promote partnership between the two countries. The CM appreciated that Political Advisor Zoe Ware's role in global environmental projects like the 'Earth shot Prize' is highly commendable. Political Advisor Zoe Ware will always be remembered as a great friend in Punjab. The Chief Minister said, 'The Punjab government holds in high esteem Jane Marriott's diplomatic services as a British High Commissioner.' She added, 'Jane Marriott's global diplomatic experience enabled to elevate Pakistan-UK relations to a new height.' She highlighted, 'The presence of a large number of 17 lakh British-Pakistani communities belongs to Punjab which speaks volumes of a long-lasting mutual relationship between Pakistan and UK. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
CM praises UK's role amid regional tension
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has appreciated the positive and prudent role of the United Kingdom amid the recent Pakistan-India strained relations. The chief minister met British High Commissioner Jane Marriott. A luncheon was also hosted in the honour of outgoing Political Advisor to the British High Commission Zoe Ware on the occasion. Matters pertaining to mutual interest, bilateral cooperation, education, investment, environmental protection and promotion of partnership in the field of governance were discussed. The chief minister offered to enhance mutual cooperation in the fields of education, trade, investment, climate protection and governance. She appreciated Political Advisor Zoe Ware's role in global environmental projects like the 'Earthshot Prize'. She said, "The Punjab government holds in high esteem Jane Marriott's diplomatic services as a British High Commissioner. Her global diplomatic experience has enabled elevation of Pakistan-UK relations to a new height." She highlighted, "The Punjab government is determined to expand its partnership with the UK so as to explore new avenues of opportunities for enhancing bilateral cooperation. The presence of 1.7 million British-Pakistani community members belonging to Punjab speaks volumes of a long lasting mutual relationship between Pakistan and the UK." District beautification Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved beautification projects for 17 districts and directed the local administrations to take steps to provide funds for the schemes. Presiding over the 3rd session of a meeting with the commissioners and deputy commissioners, she was informed about the ongoing anti-encroachment operations and beautification plans in the districts. She comprehensively reviewed the ongoing development projects of various districts. The chief minister was given a briefing about the annual development programme of the districts. She announced honorarium for the DCs of Hafizabad, Rawalpindi and Narowal.
Express Tribune
11-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pak-UK trade ties poised for expansion
The role of economic, trade and commercial attaches appointed in the UK and EU would be constructive and transformative. Pakistani-origin politicians and policymakers should also positively contribute in this connection. photo: file Listen to article Increasing business and trade relations with the UK can provide Pakistan and its industries an alternative destination to achieve the desired goals of socio-economic prosperity, qualitative industrialisation and exports, in which the Pakistani businessmen and investors settled in the UK can play an important role. Rising cooperation in health, education, hospitality, culture, IT, human resource development, textiles, fashion, classic textiles and chemical industries can be mutually beneficial for both countries. The mutual cooperation may be further strengthened through series of meaningful reforms, concessions, policies and productive channels mainly building of reciprocal trade houses, Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA)/Free Trade Agreement (FTA), exchange of delegations of chambers, regular holding of expos, festivals of one-country product, exchange of information and formation of Pak-UK Industries Corridor of Knowledge. It augurs well that the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott, is determined to further strengthen its strategic partnership with Pakistan across several vital sectors, including finance, healthcare, education, engineering, and energy. Centre for South Asia and International Studies, Islamabad Executive Director Dr Mehmoodul Hassan Khan said Pakistan's economy may be further developed and diversified through the investments, expertise, digitalisation, AI, robotics, IT, supply chains and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), micro-financing, banking, disaster management and climate change cooperation. He said close cooperation in non-traditional sectors of the economy, mainly marbles, precious stones, halal foods, organic cooking oils, cultural products and handicrafts may also be a value addition in this direction. The policy makers of Pakistan, businessmen, investors and regional experts and economic strategists should play a collaborative, consultative and coordinated role in the further strengthening of bilateral relations. The role of economic, trade and commercial attaches appointed in the UK and European Union would also be constructive and transformative. Pakistani-origin politicians and policymakers should also positively contribute to this connection. Pakistanis' community, workers, businessmen, investors and even students/youth with entrepreneurship capabilities and capacities would also be value addition for achieving the desired goals of economic modernisation, connectivity, industrial productivity, trade diversification, cluster of industrial development, space and sciences, affordable and innovative housing industries, interior decoration equipment, climate resilient construction materials and moreover integrative and interconnected cooperation, collaboration and coordination in metals and minerals would also be pursued and implements. Moreover, genuine demands of business community in terms of easy and smooth grant of visas, revival of direct aerial/aviation cooperation, and joint ventures in human resource industries, education, health, tourism through constant and continued soft image diplomacy along with multiculturalism caravans and state's guarantee for safety and security of the UK investments would be effective and participatory. UK is one of the sustainable and stable economies of the European Union and extended cooperation in green finance, disaster management, climate change technologies, organic fertilisers, green financial instruments, banking and finance derivatives, community based innovative anti-climate financing tools, green bonds markets, green vaccines, green plantation, renewables (solar, wind), modern green and blue hydrogen power generation energy tools, peaceful nuclear energy cooperation, hybrid agriculture, fisheries, halal food chains and concessional green financing or credit facilities would also further foster economic cooperation and ties between UK and its private companies. UK being champion of humanity, civilisation, modern democracy, corporate and good governance, climate justice global drive and multiculturalism should also play an important role in people's friendly local government setups, decentralisation of financial resources, channelisation of domestic talents, empowerment of women, eradication of poverty and generation of new jobs in the country because after closure of USAIDS, UK has the ability, vision, and resources to jump-in in these sectors of human services. What's more, Federal minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Advisor to the Finance Minister on Economic and Financial Reforms Khurram Schehzad and Advisor to the Prime Minister on Privatisation Muhammad Ali recently attended the Jefferies' 'Pakistan Access Day' interactive conference in London, where the finance minister underscored the Pakistan's firm commitment to macroeconomic reform and structural transformation and the government's resolve to stay the course to bring permanence to this macroeconomic stability. When it comes to Pakistan and UK bilateral trade for FY24, exports and imports consist of $2,014,768 and $781,996. Pakistan's major exporting items to the UK include other made-up textile articles; sets; worn clothing and worn textile articles; rags, optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical, cotton, articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted, cereals, articles of leather; saddlery and harness; travel goods, handbags and similar containers; articles, edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons, plastics and articles, sugars and sugar confectionery. Pakistan's major importing items from the UK encompass iron and steel, electrical machinery and equipment and parts; sound recorders and reproducers, television, nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories; miscellaneous chemical products; organic chemicals; plastics and articles. The writer is a staff correspondent
