ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday signed multibillion dollars MoUs in Abu Dhabi in a range of areas to boost economic and strategic cooperation between the two countries.

The signing of MoUs was followed by a meeting of caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Syed Asim Munir with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to strengthen bilateral strategic cooperation.

The two leaders and the COAS witnessed the signing of the MoUs pertaining to investment and cooperation in the sectors of energy, port operations, wastewater treatment, food security, logistics, minerals, and banking and financial services.

These MoUs are expected to unlock multibillion dollars of investment from the UAE into Pakistan and will help realise various initiatives envisioned under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).

Agreements cover energy, port operations, wastewater treatment, food security, logistics, minerals, banking & financial services

The caretaker PM termed the signing of MoUs historic that will usher in a new era of Pak-UAE economic partnership.

Earlier, Mr Kakar reached Abu Dhabi on a three-day trip for bilateral meetings. He will proceed to Kuwait before returning to the UAE to attend the COP28 summit on climate change.

In a video message sent from Abu Dhabi, the PM announced that Pakistan and the UAE had inked multibillion dollar MoUs after which bilateral economic and strategic relations had entered a ‘new era of bilateral cooperation’.

Congratulating the people of Pakistan and the UAE, he said foundation of friendship with Pakistan that was laid by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in 1970s, had been taken forward by his son Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to a new era.

He expressed the hope that the MoUs that were signed by the two countries would turn into tangible projects very soon.

Later, PM Kakar and Gen Munir called on UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the two sides vowed to strengthen bilateral strategic cooperation.

According to the PM Office, the leaders underlined the historic and deep-rooted fraternal ties between the two countries. They reaffirmed the resolve to further strengthen bilateral strategic cooperation and dialogue between Pakistan and the UAE.

During the meeting, regional and global developments were also discussed with particular reference to the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in occupied Palestine.

Mr Kakar reiterated Pakistan’s support to the UAE’s presidency for COP-28, underlining its importance as an opportunity for meaningful progress towards effective and result-oriented global actions in key areas to mitigate climate impact including the establishment of Loss and Damage Fund.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2023