UAE deputy PM to arrive in Pakistan today to strengthen bilateral cooperation
ISLAMABAD: UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan today, Sunday, on a two-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in various sectors, state-run media reported.
Pakistan and the UAE have deepened their economic partnership in recent years. The UAE is Pakistan's third-largest trading partner after China and the United States, and a major source of foreign investment, with over $10 billion invested in the last two decades.
'Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will undertake a two-day official visit to Pakistan from Sunday,' state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
It said the high-level visit reflects the deep-rooted, fraternal relations that Pakistan and the UAE enjoy.
'It also underscores the two countries' shared commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across all areas of mutual interest,' the state broadcaster added.
The UAE is home to over a million Pakistani expatriates — the second-largest overseas Pakistani community globally — and a major source of remittance inflows to Pakistan.
Policymakers in Islamabad view the UAE as an ideal export destination due to its geographic proximity, which lowers freight costs and facilitates smoother trade.
In recent months, the two countries have signed a series of agreements to boost economic ties.
In February, during the Abu Dhabi crown prince's visit to Pakistan, the two sides signed accords in mining, railways, banking and infrastructure.
Last year in January, Pakistan and the UAE signed deals worth more than $3 billion covering railways, economic zones and infrastructure development.
The UAE has become an even more crucial partner for Pakistan amid Islamabad's efforts to achieve sustainable economic growth after suffering from a prolonged macroeconomic crisis.
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