The United Kingdom wants to increase its trade volume to the tune of pounds 2.5 billion from current pounds 1.5 billion to Pakistan by 2015.

"We have presence of 100 companies and their branded commodities on sale in Pakistan at present," said Francis Campbell, the UK Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi, at a reception Thursday night hosted for the UK based foreign investors who have come to Karachi to attend the 6th Expo Pakistan Exhibition.

"Pakistan has huge potential for investment in various sectors of economy and as far as law and order is concerned, it is an issue being faced by all the world over," he said while responding to queries of the media persons.

The Deputy High Commissioner stressed for measures to promote export led growth between the two countries and added that with these goals UK based 50 companies are attending the exhibition to explore the avenues of investment.

It may be mentioned here that Pakistan is hosting an international exhibition at Expo Centre here in Karachi (19-23 Oct) which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday last.

The exhibition is being attended by foreign investors from 10 countries.

"We have companies from UK which belong to various sectors ranging from Information Technology, Sportwear, hotel and tourism, creative and media, household items, packaging and alternate energy, besides, the service industry," Campbell added.

Referring to the last year's exhibition, he said Pakistan's private sector received orders worth dollars 80 million from UK.

"It is our endeavour to bridge the gap between the private sector of both the countries," he maintained.

The reception was largely attended by the leading members of the business community and the government functionaries.