Britain to increase trade with Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, April 5 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister David Cameron Tuesday announced an agreement to increase bilateral trade with Pakistan.

Cameron said the trade would be increased to 2.5 billion pounds per year (about $4 billion) by 2015.

At a news conference in Pakistan with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Cameron also outlined trade-related actions, including pushing for greater access for Pakistan to European markets, supporting economic reform in Pakistan and encouraging British business to invest more in the country, the prime minister's Web site said.

Cameron said that discussions had also covered security issues and the situation in neighboring Afghanistan.

Cameron also announced a commitment to help Pakistan place 4 million children in schools by 2015.

The British prime minister arrived in Islamabad Tuesday for a one-day visit at the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart, the Pakistani foreign ministry said.

"Pakistan attaches considerable importance to the British prime minister's visit and to the close cooperative relationship with the United Kingdom," the ministry said in a statement.

Cameron and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari met in London last August, describing the bond between the two countries as unbreakable.

Pakistan is a former British colony.