Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to depart for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) today, Monday, to participate in the World Governments Summit (WGS) on February 10-11, as announced by the Pakistani foreign office on Sunday.
The summit will bring together numerous Heads of State and Government, global policymakers, and prominent private sector leaders to discuss key issues related to governance, innovation, and international cooperation, according to the foreign office.
This marks Sharif’s second visit to the UAE since taking office in March last year. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, along with other key cabinet members.
According to the foreign office, the Prime Minister is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at the WGS, outlining Pakistan’s vision for inclusive economic growth, digital transformation, and governance reforms.
During his visit, he will also engage in bilateral discussions with UAE leadership and meet with other Heads of State and Government attending the summit, as well as CEOs of major multinational corporations.
The UAE is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner after China and the United States and has invested over $10 billion in Pakistan in the last two decades, according to the UAE’s foreign ministry. Pakistan considers the UAE an ideal export market due to its close geographical proximity, which reduces transportation costs and facilitates trade.
Additionally, the UAE hosts over a million Pakistani expatriates, making it the second-largest Pakistani expat community globally and a significant source of remittances for Pakistan, as noted by the foreign office.
In recent years, both countries have intensified efforts to strengthen their economic and investment ties. In January 2024, Pakistan and the UAE signed agreements worth over $3 billion in sectors such as railways, economic zones, and infrastructure during a visit by Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar to Davos for the World Economic Forum summit.
The foreign office emphasized that Sharif’s visit reflects Pakistan’s strong commitment to enhancing relations with the UAE, deepening economic cooperation, and exploring new opportunities for mutual growth and prosperity.
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