ISLAMABAD: The chairman of Pakistan’s upper house of the parliament Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani met with UAE ambassador to Pakistan Hamad Obaid Al-Zaabi on Monday and urged him to take “advantage” of trade opportunities with Pakistan.

A statement issued by Sanjrani’s office described relations between Pakistan and the UAE as being based on common traditions, religious values ​​and social ties and suggested increased exchange of parliamentary and high level delegations in order to enhance investment opportunities.

“UAE can take advantage of investment opportunities in trade and economic sectors in Pakistan,” Senate Chairman Sanjrani was quoted as saying in the statement.

The senate chairman thanked the UAE and its people for taking care of Pakistanis stranded in the country during the coronavirus pandemic. In return, the UAE envoy appreciated the government of Pakistan’s steps to stem the tide of the coronavirus.

The ambassador said the UAE considered bilateral relations with Pakistan very important: “Joint efforts are needed to increase trade cooperation.”

UAE is the second largest host to overseas Pakistanis in the world. Last week the government of Punjab, Pakistan’s biggest province, offered incentives for Emirati investment in its special economic zones.