ISLAMABAD, Nov 20: President Asif Ali Zardari will leave for the United Arab Emirates on Monday on a two-day state visit.

President’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar told Dawn on Thursday that during the visit, Mr Zardari would hold talks with UAE rulers and heads of international companies and seek investment in Pakistan.

“The main purpose of the visit is to seek help from the UAE to steer Pakistan out of the current financial crisis,” he said.

Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq said the visit was aimed at working a comprehensive upgradation of relations with the UAE, with focus on establishing a strategic and economic partnership.

He said President Zardari would hold a one-on-one meeting with President Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and talks with the prime minister and other leaders.

The president will also meet heads of major Abu Dhabi-based companies.

It will be Mr Zardari’s first official visit to UAE.