Ties with new govt to grow: UAE ambassador
The UAE is committed to implementing more welfare, development projects with the aim to bring prosperity, progress and development in Pakistan Hamad Obaid Alzaabi,
UAE Ambassador
islamabad — The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to Islamabad Hamad Obaid Alzaabi said on Sunday that UAE-Pakistan historical relations and shared vision of their dynamic leadership provided a strong basis for tapping the real potential of their economic relations for the mutual benefit.
“The most important thing is that we have the same vision and ideas as both Pakistan and the UAE are focused on counter-terrorism and extremism, promotion of health and education,” he said in an interview here.
Both countries have massive economic potential hence they “have chances for investment and they should encourage their businessmen to invest to help bolster trade between the two sides”.
Emphasizing on the importance of Pakistan’s stability, he said the UAE “supports Pakistan in facing the terrorism challenges and appreciates the efforts of Pakistan in the fight against this menace”.
“The UAE is committed to implementing more welfare, development projects with the aim to bring prosperity, progress and development in Pakistan,” said the ambassador.
It will continue to work for “strengthening the economic relations and increasing the bilateral trade volume and encouraging investment between two countries”.
Referring to his meetings to further spike the bilateral trade, the envoy said: “Although the volume of current bilateral trade is satisfactory, dedicated efforts are needed from both sides to further improve the two-way trade.”
The total trade volume between the two countries is around $8.19 billion, which is not reflective of the friendly relations and potential available in the two countries.
When questioned about the Expo 2020 in Dubai , Obaid said it would be a great opportunity for Pakistan to showcase its potential and products to lure investors.
He said the UAE appreciated the contribution of overseas Pakistanis in UAE’s development.
Replying to a question on the Gwadar Port, the envoy said it was not a competing project rather it complements the ports of the UAE and its international shipping. The UAE “supports this project and is keen to cooperate with Pakistan in this field as it will help increase bilateral trade”.
He said there were many development and social projects which were being built with the support of UAE in Gwadar city, including a water desalination project, whose foundation was laid in March 2018 and will be built with the support of the United Arab Emirates. The project will be completed in 6 to 8 months, and will provide 4.4 million gallons of water per day to the residents of Gwadar with the ability to increase its capacity to 8.8 million gallons of water per day, said the ambassador.