Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates are moving closer to finalising the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), as technical negotiations between the two countries approach conclusion, officials confirmed during high-level meetings in Islamabad.
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan met with UAE Ambassador Salem Al Zaabi, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral economic ties and accelerating progress on CEPA for mutual benefit.
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Khan highlighted the historical, strategic, and people-to-people bonds between Pakistan and the UAE, noting that the relationship extends across political, defence, social, and economic spheres, creating a strong foundation for enhanced trade and investment.
He emphasised the importance of translating longstanding closeness into a balanced economic partnership, encouraging growth in trade and investment flows, and leveraging Pakistan’s economic reforms to create a more business-friendly environment for UAE investors.
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Ambassador Al Zaabi praised Pakistan’s reform efforts, strategic location, and market potential, expressing strong interest in expanding collaboration in trade, logistics, ports, manufacturing, infrastructure, and investment facilitation between the two nations.
Both sides also explored opportunities for joint ventures, trilateral cooperation in third-country markets, and deeper engagement in emerging regions such as Central Asia and Africa, while agreeing to maintain close coordination for the timely completion of CEPA.