ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government has offered incentives for Emirati investment in its special economic zones as the province’s leaders met with the UAE ambassador to Pakistan, Hamad Obaid Al-Zaabi, in Lahore on Friday, the chief minister’s office said.

Al-Zaabi met with Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar, and Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervez Elahi to discuss cooperation in different departments, as the province is establishing 13 special economic zones and industrial estates.

Buzdar invited UAE investment in the special zones and the Ravi River project — a new city near the Ravi River in Lahore district — and said that “special facilities” would be provided to Emirati investors.

“UAE investors will be welcomed in Punjab. Cooperation with the UAE in Pakistan’s construction and development (sectors) is commendable,” he said after the meeting, as quoted in the statement.

The groundbreaking of the Allama Iqbal Industrial City special zone in Faisalabad took place earlier this year, while Quaid-e-Azam Business Park in Sheikhupura was launched last month. Buzdar said that the foundation stone for the third special zone, in Bahawalpur, will be laid soon.

Al-Zaabi, according to the statement, invited the chief minister to visit UAE.

Earlier this month, Pakistan’s minister for shipping, Syed Ali Haider Zaidi said the UAE expressed interest in investing in development projects in Pakistan. The announcement came after meeting with officials from a top UAE company, DP World, which specializes in free trade zones, cargo logistics, port terminal operations, and maritime services.