ISLAMABAD. Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation in the fields of trade, energy, infrastructure, and petroleum, as both sides look to expand the scope of ties.

“Both sides [also] agreed to remain in close contact for the implementation of the investment and trade decisions made at the leadership level,” according to an official statement.

The official handout was issued after the visit of a team of economic experts from the UAE on Tuesday. The delegation was here to discuss the implementation of decisions made by the leadership of Pakistan and the Emirates during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to the UAE.

PM Shehbaz while talking to the delegation said that the government attached the “highest priority to its brotherly relations” with the UAE and was desirous to strengthen the relations to the “next level”, especially on the economic front.

“This high-level visit during the Eid holidays exhibits the keenness of the Government of UAE to invest in our country. Pakistan warmly welcomes this brotherly gesture, and has a keen interest to welcome significant investments from the Emirati brothers,” he added.

Phone call with Abu Dhabi crown prince

PM Shehbaz also made a telephone call to Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and conveyed Eid greetings to him and the brotherly people of UAE. The two leaders agreed to remain in close contact to further advance bilateral collaboration and cooperation in the international arena.

“The PM expressed his best wishes for the good health of the UAE leadership and the peace and prosperity of the fraternal Emirati people,” it read. He reiterated his resolve to further strengthen the long-standing cooperative ties between the two brotherly countries.

PM Shehbaz thanked the crown prince for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation during the recent visit to the UAE, and recalled his extensive consultations with the crown prince. “The PM underscored that he looked forward to working with the UAE leadership to further intensify mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation, particularly in the realm of trade, investments and economic cooperation.”

He also thanked the Crown Prince for sending a special economic delegation to Pakistan, soon after the visit, which has marked a “new chapter” in the bilateral relationship between the two brotherly countries. The premier extended a cordial invitation to the crown prince to visit Pakistan at an early date.