ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said on Saturday Pakistan wanted increased collaboration with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the fields of tourism and aviation during a meeting with the visiting trade minister from the Middle Eastern state.
The UAE is home to 1.8 million Pakistanis who make significant contributions to the economy of their home country by sending the second largest sum of remittances after the Pakistani diaspora community in Saudi Arabia.
The UAE has also played a pivotal role in helping the South Asian country deal with its financial crisis in recent years by depositing large chunks of money in Pakistan’s central bank.
Last year, Kakar visited the UAE to strengthen the trade and economic ties between the two countries and highlight the investment opportunities available in various economic sectors of Pakistan.
“During my recent visit to the United Arab Emirates, agreements were signed between the two countries, marking the beginning of a new era of economic partnership between Pakistan and the UAE,” he said during his meeting with the visiting trade minister, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi.
According to a statement issued by the PM Office in Islamabad, Kakar emphasized the need to enhance bilateral cooperation in aviation and tourism industries and work on railway connectivity to increase interactions between the peoples of the two countries.
“The Government of Pakistan will play every possible role in bringing together businessmen and Chambers of Commerce and Industry of both countries,” he assured while praising UAE’s “robust support” for his country with enhanced investment.
The UAE minister expressed determination to further improve trade relations with Pakistan.

Kakar also witnessed signing of a commercial agreement between the Karachi Port Trust and Abu Dhabi Ports Group that is expected to strengthen bilateral relations in marine and logistic sectors of Pakistan and the UAE.
The prime minister expressed satisfaction over the growth of exchanges, interaction and cooperation between businesses in the two countries.