Shahbaz Sharif (left) and Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan hold a meeting in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Tanvir Usman, Staff Reporter

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Friday spent a busy day in Abu Dhabi holding meetings with Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE’s Minister of Tolerance, and other business delegations.

Sheikh Nahyan apprised the prime minister about his government’s efforts towards promoting values of tolerance and peaceful co-existence around the world.

Sheikh Nahyan also praised the dedication and hard work of the Pakistani community, which is significantly contributing towards the development of the UAE.

Shahbaz hailed the historical ties between Pakistan and UAE and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to further strengthen existing bilateral engagements with the UAE at all levels and fields including trade, investment, energy, culture and tourism.

Pakistani prime minister thanked Sheikh Nahyan for his investments in Pakistan and his trust in the people of Pakistan.

ABU DHABI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DELEGATION

Also during the day, a delegation of Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce called on Shahbaz. The delegation was headed by Abdullah Mohamed Al Mazrouei , Chairman of Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce.

While talking to the delegation, the prime minister said that he was happy to meet one of the important Chambers of Commerce in the UAE. Abu Dhabi Chamber had played an important role in the economic development of the UAE, he said.

The prime minister noted with pleasure that the chamber also had Pakistani members. The prime minister further said that it was matter of pride for us that one of the Pakistani businessmen had been a Board member of this esteemed chamber which was the indication of that fact Pakistani community was playing important role in the development of the UAE.

He said that the vision and wisdom of its leadership had enabled the UAE to become an economic and tourism hub within a short span of time.
Pakistan gives importance to its relationship with the UAE which was based on common faith, shared history and people-to-people contacts, the prime minister said.

Shahbaz said that he was delighted to note that bilateral trade between Pakistan and the UAE had grown significantly in recent times.

There was a need to enhance chamber to chamber cooperation and we will ask Pakistani chambers to reach out to the Abu Dhabi Chamber and develop new linkages, he said.

The prime minister encouraged members of Abu Dhabi Chamber to visit Pakistan to experience the excellent opportunities of growing their businesses. The prime minister said that sending skilled work force to the UAE was one of the top priorities of his government.  The members of Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce showed interests in investing in Pakistan.

PAKISTAN BUSINESS COUNCIL

Meanwhile, a delegation of Pakistan Business Council called on Shahbaz in Abu Dhabi. While talking to the delegation, the prime minister said that he was happy to know that Pakistani businessmen were bringing their own and Pakistan's name to light in the UAE through their hard work and experience.

The prime minister said that his meetings with the leadership of the UAE were successful. He further said that his visit would help in turning the friendship between Pakistan and United Arab Emirates into a strategic partnership.

The prime minister encouraged the delegation of Pakistan Business Council in the UAE to do business and investment in Pakistan. He also invited the members of the delegation to come to Pakistan with proposals for investment and business.

The members of the delegation expressed their content over the economic policies of the government and showed their interest in doing business and investment in Pakistan.

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Finance Revenue Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar, Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif and other government officials.

Also on Friday, Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia Adel Al Ali called on Shahbaz Sharif in Abu Dhabi. Matters with regard to investment opportunities in aviation and tourism sector of Pakistan were discussed during the meeting.