ISLAMABAD, Dec 27: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday agreed to bolster trade and investment relations as President Pervez Musharraf and his counterpart Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan discussed follow-up efforts to revitalize the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) for the benefit of the Muslim world.

The two leaders took up a wide range of regional and international issues of common concern at their one-to-one meeting at the Aiwan-i-Sadr here. They also agreed to continue cooperation in the war against terrorism and extremism.

Within the next three months the two countries will hold a meeting of the joint ministerial commission in an effort to spur bilateral economic cooperation. The joint ministerial commission will look for ways to bolster bilateral trade and promote joint ventures.

Both sides have expressed a firm resolve to coordinate efforts to revamp the OIC and enable it to play a dynamic role for the socio-economic emancipation of the Ummah.

President Musharraf informed the UAE president that Pakistan offered tremendous opportunities for investment in the fields of communication and tourism.

The president said the country also provided “a level-playing field to local and international entrepreneurs”.

President Musharraf apprised the UAE president about measures taken by the government to combat terrorism and extremism, the ongoing composite dialogue process with India and relief work underway in quake-affected areas. “Pakistan is taking steps to create peace in the region,” he said.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed expressed his heartfelt condolences over the heavy loss of lives and property in the October 8 earthquake and promised to continue assisting Pakistan in its reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.

“UAE relief teams will remain in the quake-affected areas for as long as Pakistan’s wishes,” he said.

President Musharraf thanked Sheikh Khalifa for the UAE’s rapid response to the humanitarian challenge faced by Pakistan in the wake of the quake.

During formal talks, President Musharraf again emphasized that the Muslim countries must contribute .05 of their GDP for the socio-economic betterment of member states.

The president said Pakistan was willing to contribute more than its share for the betterment of the Ummah, Sheikh Khalifa agreed on the need for revitalizing the OIC and said efforts must be geared up to bring about improvement in the less developed member states.

Foreign Minister Rashid Abdullah and Communications Minister Saeed al Mansuri assisted the UAE leader while ministers of foreign affairs, defence, interior, communication and privatization were part of the host delegation.

President Musharraf hosted a reception in honour of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, which was attended by the UAE delegation, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, federal ministers and other dignitaries.

Earlier, the UAE president was received at the Chaklala airbase by President Musharraf.

—APP/Online