Bilateral Relations
The bilateral relations between the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan are acquiring new dimensions at all political, economic and social levels emerging into trust-worthy strategic partnership.
Right from the beginning, the UAE has been famous among all comity of the world due to its generous humanitarian assistance, stability, tolerance, innovation, vision for better health and education.
UAE is one of the largest investors in the country but bilateral trade has been steadily growing over the years and people-to-people contacts are constantly on the increase.
Infinite Bonds the founder of UAE Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was keen to give an impetus to the bilateral relations between the two countries from the very beginning. It was further strengthened and patronized by H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
Both countries reaffirm their strong commitment to further reinforce the bonds of friendship; they urge the need to expand the horizon of their bilateral cooperation in diverse fields reflecting deep-rooted and historic ties.
Around 1.6 million Pakistani expatriates are working in UAE .They sent $ 4.45 billion being the highest remittances in the current fiscal year which contributed significantly in the macro-economy of Pakistan.
The UAE Pakistan Assistance Program was launched in January 2011 at a total cost of US$450 million for the reconstruction of infrastructure damaged by devastating floods and natural calamities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Bajaur and South Waziristan districts of the tribal belt to provide better life to the people by creating jobs.
The Project is to focus on four major sectors: education, public health, roads, bridges and supply of water treatment plants and networks.
The leaders of UAE always stood first to lessen the sufferings of the people affected in times of national crisis caused by natural calamities by sending teams and relief goods in the country.
Teams from UAE Military Relief Force, charitable foundations and organizations played dutiful role in the rescue, distribution of supplies and rehabilitation of victims of earthquake and floods through lengthy operations carried out by Chinooks helicopters in the most flood affected regions of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochitsan Provinces.
UAE Military Field Hospitals were installed in many remote areas of the country to treat thousands of flood-victims and launch necessary vaccination campaigns to save children, women and elderly people from diseases. Under the directives of HH the President of UAE.
UAE and Friends of Democratic Pakistan UAE played an important role in the formation of Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP). Initially, UAE hosted many meetings (ministerial & public-private conferences) of FoDP and tried its best to highlight the aim, importance and utility of this forum to the world at large and for the socio-economic development of Pakistan. Time and again, UAE government reaffirmed its support to Pakistan to help overcome its macro-economic difficulties.
Economic Cooperation
The UAE is one of the largest investors in Pakistan among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The report of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade showed that public and private sectors invested about $3.74 bn in Pakistan during 2004- 2010.
The report indicates that multinational companies have made investments in different sectors in Pakistan including the Emirates National Oil Company, “Enoch”, The International Petroleum Investment Company “IPIC” The Emirates Telecommunications Corporation “Etisalat”, Dana gas, Al Ghurair, Emaar, DP World, Abraaj Capital, Thani, Dnata, Atharihra agricultural Company, Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries “Julfar,” the Emirates Investment Group, the Arab Company for Packaging, Al Nasser Holdings.
Pakistan offers vast opportunities for foreign direct investments and joint ventures in infrastructure development; electricity generation, water desalination, agricultural based industries, insurance and real estate.
Prospects of initiating joint ventures in aluminum products, agriculture (horticulture, farming, dairy farming and livestock, financial sector, housing prefabricated houses and affordable low income houses are bright. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can also be tapped.
Aviation plays very important role in promoting bilateral trade volumes. More than 90 flights weekly fly from UAE to different cities of Pakistan and which are operated by five national carriers Etihad Airways, Emirates. Fly Dubai, Al Arabia and RAK.
Keeping in view, the importance of greater aviation cooperation a delegation of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA,) recently visited Islamabad to explore new avenues of mutual cooperation, Agreements to increase number of flights operated by UAE’s national carriers between the two countries were signed.
