Zardari, UAE PM agree to boost trade and investment ties

President Asif Ali Zardari explored avenues for enhanced multi-domain cooperation in a meeting with Dubai’s ruler on Wednesday during a four-day official visit to the United Arab Emirate.

President Zardari arrived in the UAE on Monday for the visit.

According to a statement issued by the President’s Secretariat, he met UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at Dubai’s Zabeel Palace today and congratulated him on completing two decades of leadership as the city’s leader while commending the emirate’s transformation into a global centre for tourism, finance and emerging technologies.

“The president highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing economic reforms, including investment facilitation and privatisation, and explored opportunities for enhanced cooperation with the UAE in infrastructure development, logistics, food security and technology-driven sectors,” the statement said.

It added that President Zardari extended an invitation to Sheikh Mohammed to visit Pakistan.

Read More: Pakistan, UAE presidents committed to peace, stability while taking stock of regional developments

“Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the brotherly relations between Pakistan and the UAE and expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of bilateral ties,” the statement said, adding that the two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations, with a focus on expanding economic, trade and investment cooperation.

.The two leaders underscored the importance of high-level exchanges, recalled the recent visit of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Pakistan, and acknowledged the UAE’s continued support for Pakistan’s economic development.

They also exchanged views on benefitting from Dubai’s development experience, particularly in the areas of ports, logistics, infrastructure, information technology and digital financial services.

Both sides emphasised the valuable contribution of the Pakistani community in the UAE in strengthening people-to-people links.

“Our partnership with Pakistan is old … deeply rooted … and ongoing. The Pakistani community in the country are our brothers … and they have our full appreciation and respect,” Sheikh Mohammed said in a post on X of the meeting.

The meeting was attended by First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, and Pakistan’s ambassador to the UAE.

President Zardari also met DP World Chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.

During the meeting, both discussed cooperation in ports, rail, and logistics, with a focus on Pakistan’s strategic connectivity linking China, Central Asia, and global sea routes, as well as prospects for a long-term partnership with the UAE.

The developments come a day after President Zardari met the UAE president, during which the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to peace and stability while reviewing regional and international developments.