Kakar seeks UAE cooperation in aviation, tourism sectors

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Saturday said that Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates enjoyed strong brotherly ties which were being further strengthened with time.

He said Pakistan highly valued the UAE’s firm support to its economic and investment sectors.

The prime minister was talking to UAE Minister for Foreign Trade Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi who called on him, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. The caretaker prime minister said that during his recent visit to the UAE, both the countries had signed MoUs which would open a new era of economic cooperation between the two countries.

“The UAE is a home to 1.8 million Pakistanis who are playing a role in the progress, prosperity and economic development of both the brotherly countries,” the press release quoted Kakar as saying.

He also stressed the need for cooperation in the aviation and tourism sectors, besides exploring the prospects in railway connectivity so that the people-to-people contacts could be further strengthened.

the interim PM assured the UAE minister of caretaker government’s support for bringing traders and chambers of commerce and industry of the two countries closer.

He also conveyed his good wishes to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. During the meeting, Caretaker Minister for Maritime Affairs Shahid Ashraf Tarrar, UAE ambassador in Pakistan and other relevant senior officials were also present. The UAE minister expressed the resolve to further strengthen trade ties with Pakistan.

Meanwhile, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Pakistan, and UAE Ports Group, Abu Dhabi, for outsourcing of operations of bulk and general cargo terminal at seven berths of East Wharf Karachi port. The MoU was inked here at the PM House. The accord will strengthen bilateral relations in marine and logistic sectors of Pakistan and the UAE. The documents for the MoU were signed by the officials of the two sides.

The caretaker prime minister, Federal Minister for Communication, Railways and Maritime Affairs Chaudhary Shahid Ashraf Tarar, and UAE minister of state for foreign trade, UAE ambassador to Pakistan and officials of the two countries were present in the signing ceremony.

Kakar expressed satisfaction over the growth of exchanges, interaction and cooperation between businesses in Pakistan and the UAE.

Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed was in Islamabad on a two-day official visit.He had extensive talks with the host authorities for enhancing trade between the two countries.