LAHORE - The British government is committed to a long-term, productive and friendly partnership with Pakistan. The United Kingdom views Pakistan as a long-term strategic partner and would continue to support all its endeavors aimed at expansion of trade relations between the two countries. The views were expressed by Deputy High Commissioner and Director UK Trade and Investment Robert Gibson while speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday. The UK Deputy High Commissioner discussed the investment opportunities and exploration of new avenues for investment with the members of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. LCCI President Shahzad Ali Malik, Senior Vice President Sheikh Mohammad Arshad, Vice President Sohail Azhar, former Presidents Shahid Hassan Sheikh, Mian Muzaffar Ali, former Senior Vice President Tahir Javaid Malik and former Vice President Faisal Iqbal Sheikh also spoke on the occasion. Robert Gibson said that the UK government is foreseeing better economic and investment outlook in Pakistan and encouraging its companies to make investments here. Gibson pointed out that British entrepreneurs working in Pakistan were having continued interest to work and safeguard their businesses and were looking forward to opportunities to further increase their operations by expanding existing projects and explore new avenues for investment. He added that a good number of UK companies are keen to invest in Pakistan in different sectors. He said that the Britain will provide some 480 million pounds for social uplift with a focus on poverty alleviation in Pakistan during the next three years, Gibson said adding that there is no problem for making investments in Pakistan. The British government has been motivating their business people to make investments in Pakistan, said Robert W Gibson. While calling for concrete steps to enhance diversified strategic partnership between the two countries, the LCCI President Shahzad Ali Malik said that fostering relations with the UK is a cornerstone of Pakistans foreign policy as Pakistan views the United Kingdom as an important member of the G-8 and the EU, and a partner in the Commonwealth. The LCCI President said that the volume of total two-way trade can easily break the barrier of US$2 billion if some further avenues of trade are explored with the joint efforts by both the sides. Shahzad Ali Malik said that the UK is known to have expertise in agriculture sciences that provides specific insight and technologies into the sub-fields like crop genetics, sustainable pest and disease management, seed and plant sciences, composts & synthetic soils etc. We do need your technical help and guidance to make the most of our available agriculture resources and also develop much required agriculture-industry linkage. The LCCI President said that Pakistan has great potential in Mines and Minerals development, as important minerals found in Pakistan are iron ores, limestone, chromites, silver, gold, gems stones, marble, copper, graphite etc. He urged the British investors to explore the untapped potential of this sector which will surely result in win-win situation for all.