Islamabad: The United Arab Emirates has expressed a strong interest in expanding its investment footprint in Pakistan, particularly in the areas of shipping, ports efficiency enhancement, logistics, and digitization of customs. This development was made public during a meeting between UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the meeting saw the UAE delegation, led by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, highlight their investment interests while also presenting their country’s ongoing support to Pakistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the delegation and expressed gratitude to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and UAE Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for their unwavering support to Pakistan. He emphasized the historical and cultural ties between the two nations and acknowledged the substantial economic partnership that exists, spanning sectors such as trade, energy, and investment.

The Prime Minister noted that the UAE’s commitment to enhancing its investments in Pakistan is a testament to the strong bilateral relationship and will significantly contribute to Pakistan’s economic growth. During the visit, the exchange of four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) took place, involving Pakistan’s Ministries of Maritime Affairs, Aviation, Railways, and the Federal Board of Revenue with the Abu Dhabi Ports Group. These MoUs aim to foster collaboration in customs, rail, airport infrastructure, and maritime shipping and logistics, with the objective of improving digital customs controls, developing dedicated freight rail corridors, and upgrading Pakistan’s maritime fleet and airports.

The UAE delegation comprised prominent figures such as 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, along with senior officials from the AD Ports. On the Pakistani side, the delegation included key government representatives such as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, SAPM Tariq Fatemi, and other senior officials.