Pakistani officials during the launch of new initiatives at Expo 2020 Dubai on Wednesday. WAM

Sajjad Ahmed, Deputy Business Editor

As part of its participation in the Expo 2020 Dubai, Pakistan’s Punjab provincial government has launched two new initiatives in the UAE to promote and facilitate investments and growth of start-ups.

The first initiative is the Investment Portal, an online resource centre to aid investors and business people in Pakistan and abroad. This is being launched in parallel with the start-up moot and project exhibitions being displayed at the Pakistan Pavilion.

The second initiative is the UAE Help Desk, an office space being set up in the Emirates, by the government of Punjab that aims to attract investment to Punjab from the UAE business community.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Industries, Commerce, Investment, and Skill Development Department of Punjab, Mian Muhammad Aslam Iqbal, at a ceremony in Dubai on Wednesday. The Ambassador of Pakistan to the UAE, Afzaal Mahmood was also present on the occasion.

Diverse Flavours of Pakistan: Dawat brings the best of Pakistani cuisine to a scenic rooftop set up at the iconic Pakistan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.

The fine-dining restaurant, which opened doors to the public on Tuesday, aims to showcase diverse flavors from Pakistan, taking diners on journeys around the country in a tantalizing menu of boundary-pushing cuisine.

Dawat is translated to meaning a ‘celebration feast’ highlighting the restaurant’s luxe set up and offerings. With a myriad of dishes inspired by the country’s rich history, almost evoking a sense of regality to the experience, Dawat’s menu has been prepared by the best chefs from across the country.

While Dawat provides an immersive journey into Pakistani cuisine at its beautiful rooftop location, the sharing-style menu for the restaurant has been curated in partnership with Erth, Abu Dhabi’s treasured destination of Emirati hospitality, cuisine, and recreation.

The Pakistan Pavilion and Erth also have a partnership in Dhaba restaurant, which is located on the ground floor. Dhaba, which means “ a roadside food stall”, has been serving the guests in a friendly and warm atmosphere since Oct.1.

Rizwan Tariq, Director General of the Pakistan Pavilion, commented: “We are delighted to partner with Erth and present two wonderful culinary destinations at the Pakistan Pavilion. The nature of Pakistani hospitality has inspired the dishes to give epicureans a culinary adventure of a kind.”

The menu is rich with exciting dishes, which have been inspired by the diverse food and flavors of Pakistan, most of the hidden treasures remain relatively unexplored. The team has worked extremely hard to bring this vision to life at the rooftop at the Pavilion.

 Shaikha Al Kaabi, CEO of Erth, said: “The sharing of food and drink is an intrinsic part of both the Emirati and Pakistani culture. It is our pleasure to collaborate with the Pakistan Pavilion and launch two incredible culinary journeys at Expo 2020 Dubai.”

Pakistan and the UAE have always enjoyed a strong relationship, and I’m confident that every guest at Dhaaba and Dawat will appreciate the delicious cuisine on offer and have a memorable experience”, she added.

The trained chefs, with several years of culinary experience, have curated an opulent menu of imperial cuisine keeping in mind the motto of Pakistan Pavilion for Expo 2020 – which is to inform, inspire and ignite conversation to leave a lasting impact, introducing to masses its richly layered history, culture, and traditions through food.