Fakiha Tariq

Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates are looking at increased cooperation in trade, investment and supporting each other’s economies. The statement was made by the Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar while talking on the floor of National Assembly. He was responding to a question put before him by Ms Shamim Ara Panwar, during the question-answer session.

He said, “We have enjoyed excellent relations with the UAE since our independence. We are looking forward to increasing the bilateral trade between the two countries to further strengthen our longstanding relationship.” He added, “Since the UAE is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council, we are looking for an opportunity to strike a free trade agreement with the GCC countries to better sell our products in the rich markets of the middle east.”

He further said that Pakistan had an excellent pavilion at the Dubai Expo 2022. Pakistan was able to attract 1.4 million visitors during the Expo from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022. He said that a total of 301 events were held at the expo and that government was facilitating businessmen and industrialists to showcase their products in international exhibitions.

He said that on average Pakistani businesses participated in 10 trade fairs annually helped by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP). In 2022, Pakistan participated in eight exhibitions so far and in 2023, it is planning to participate in eleven exhibitions, he added.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk