Zardari seeks UAE assistance in free trade agreement with GCC

President Asif Ali Zardari sought United Arab Emirates’s (UAE) help for Free Trade Agreement with GCC countries which would pave the way for increased commercial activity between Pakistan and the Gulf countries.
Enhancing mutual cooperation: “Pakistan is keen to sign Free Trade Agreement with GCC countries and would appreciate UAE’s support in this regard. This would pave the way for increased commercial activity between Pakistan and the Gulf countries,” President told Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zeyed Al- Nahyan, foreign minister of United Arab Emirates (UAE), who called on President Asif Ali Zardari here at ‘Aiwan-e-Sadr’.
Strengthening trade relations: The one-on-one meeting of UAE Foreign Minister with the President was followed by a delegation level meeting. A wide range of bilateral issues were discussed during the meeting.
Hina Rabbani Khar, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs and Senator A Rehman Malik, Federal Minister for Interior and other senior officials were present during delegation level meeting.
During the delegation level meeting, a whole spectrum of Pak- UAE bilateral relations was discussed. President, during meeting, highlighted the existing cordial and friendly relationship with UAE. He said Pakistan values its bonds of fraternity with UAE and is keen to expand cooperation in various fields. He emphasised upon further strengthening trade relations in order to translate existing equation into economic terms.
Structured mechanism: He expressed hope that Joint Ministerial Commission between the two countries would provide a structured mechanism for promotion of bilateral economic relations that would go a long way to enhance economic interactions between the two countries. He said Pakistan deeply appreciates continued interest of investors from UAE in Pakistan. President said private sector and investors from UAE could take maximum advantage from investment friendly policies of Pakistan in various sectors including petroleum, banking, telecommunications and infrastructure.
President also noted with satisfaction presence of a large number of Pakistani expatriates in UAE who were contributing positively towards socio-economic development of the country and were serving as a vehicle to promote greater understanding between people of the two countries. He also said Pakistan can meet UAE demand in the field of Human Resource for its various development projects.
Bond of trust: During the meeting the President thanked UAE government for their generosity and assistance to people of Pakistan at every hour of distress. He said generosity at the time of distress reflects depth of our mutual feelings and strength of our bonds.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed thanked the President for meeting and expressed hope that existing close cooperation between the two countries would continue to grow with each passing day for mutual benefit. He also assured continued support of UAE government to the people of Pakistan in their fight against militancy and rehabilitation of natural calamity hit infrastructure.