Daily Times

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has expressed a strong interest in expanding its investments in Pakistan, specifically in shipping, port efficiency, logistics, and customs digitisation.

This was announced during a high-profile meeting in Islamabad, where UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, led a delegation of UAE investors to meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The PM welcomed the delegation, extending his appreciation to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for their continued support of Pakistan. He stated that Pakistan and the UAE share a deep, fraternal bond rooted in common history and cultural values.

Highlighting the existing economic partnership between the two nations, PM Shehbaz pointed to the collaborative progress made in trade, energy, and investment, which he said has driven growth and prosperity for both countries.

“The UAE’s commitment to increasing its investment footprint in Pakistan is a testament to the strength of our bilateral relations,” he noted, underscoring the potential for UAE investments to contribute significantly to Pakistan’s economic stability.

During the visit, the two countries signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) focused on cooperation across several sectors. These MoUs, signed with the Abu Dhabi Ports Group, cover partnerships with Pakistan’s Ministries of Maritime Affairs, Aviation, Railways, and the Federal Board of Revenue.

The agreements aim to explore opportunities in customs modernisation, freight rail corridors, maritime shipping, and airport infrastructure. Specifically, the partnerships target improvements in digital customs controls, the development of dedicated freight rail lines, and the enhancement of Pakistan’s maritime fleet and international airport services.

The UAE delegation included Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Kaheel Group; Capt. Mohamed Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports Group; UAE Ambassador to Pakistan Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi; and senior officials from AD Ports.

Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said measures were being taken to introduce 5G internet for faster and reliable internet services in the country.

“This will also help achieve the vision of Digital Pakistan,” said PM Shehbaz, talking to a delegation of VEON Group, a multinational telecommunication and digital services company, in Islamabad.

Pakistan has been suffering from slow internet for months now during which social media sites also witnessed outages several times, frustrating the masses.

The country’s internet speeds are woefully behind international standards, threatening the country to leave in the dust of the global digital economy. Separately, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu on Friday called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif here.

In the meeting, they discussed the professional matters pertaining to the Pakistan Air Force, according to a PM Office press release.