ISLAMABAD: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to Pakistan Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi on Monday called on Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
During the meeting, President Asif Ali Zardari emphasized the importance of enhancing bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) across various sectors such as trade, economy, aviation, renewable energy, climate change, and human resource development, said a press release from the President Secretariat Press Wing.
President Zardari discussed the need for increased cooperation in the aviation industry to better serve the Pakistani diaspora in the UAE, including exploring the possibility of commercial flights using Airbus A380s. He also encouraged Emirati businesses to invest in the Pakistan Stock Exchange to bring in fresh ideas and capital for economic growth.
Regarding environmental efforts, the president mentioned Pakistan’s investments in mangrove forests and carbon credit trading on the global market, suggesting potential collaboration with the UAE in this area. He also highlighted ongoing projects aimed at improving canal infrastructure to boost agricultural output, stressing the importance of sharing agricultural technologies to address food security challenges due to climate change.
During the meeting, Ambassador Al-Zaabi reiterated the UAE’s commitment to Pakistan’s development and proposed transforming the current bilateral relationship into a strategic partnership. He emphasized economic diplomacy and noted UAE companies’ interest in investing in various sectors in Pakistan, including aviation, agriculture, renewable energy (specifically solar), education, and healthcare.
The ambassador mentioned the UAE’s recent hosting of COP-28 and its pledge of $100 million for the “loss & damage” fund to assist vulnerable countries affected by climate change. He suggested Pakistan could benefit from this fund to mitigate climate change impacts.
Ambassador Al-Zaabi congratulated President Zardari on his second term and extended an invitation for a visit to the UAE, which the president accepted.
President Zardari thanked the UAE’s leadership for warm greetings and highlighted the strong bond of friendship between the two nations, emphasizing the need for further strengthening this relationship.
