Pakistan and UK on Thursday launched a Trade and Investment Roadmap aimed at increasing bilateral trade to £2.5 billion by 2015

A joint statement of Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and his British counterpart David Cameron said this on the occasion of the First Annual Summit of the UK-Pakistan Enhanced Strategic Dialogue held in London.

"Pakistan and UK launched a Trade and Investment Roadmap, setting out the steps both governments will take to promote investment, support business and achieve the target of increasing bilateral trade to £2.5 billion by 2015," it said.

Prime Minister Gilani pledged his government’s full support in ensuring an enabling business environment to attract and sustain UK trade with, and investment in, Pakistan.

He expressed appreciation for the UK’s consistent support to Pakistan for enhanced market access to the European Union.

He hoped that the UK would continue to support Pakistan’s request for GSP+ and early finalization of Autonomous Trade Preferences package.

British PM David Cameron assured his country's continued support in this regard, and also encouraged Pakistani businesses to look at the opportunities the UK offers and its role as a gateway to Europe.

Both leaders also reviewed the significant progress made under the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue between Pakistan and the UK that underscores the enduring partnership between the two countries.

The two Prime Ministers noted that since its launch in 2011 the dialogue between the UK and Pakistan has become deeper and broader.

They reviewed the practical co-operation on shared interests which has intensified across the five areas covered by the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue, including trade, economic growth and development, cultural co-operation, security and education.