PM witnesses MoU signing between Pakistan, UAE

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Saturday expressed his satisfaction over the growth of exchanges, interaction and cooperation between businesses in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The prime minister witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Authority of Karachi Port Trust Pakistan and Abu Dhabi Ports Group, UAE.

The MoU is a commercial understanding for outsourcing of operations of Bulk and General Cargo Terminal at seven berths of East Wharf Karachi Port, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

Caretaker Minister for Communication, Railways and Maritime Affairs Shahid Ashraf Tarar along with other high officials from Pakistani side and UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Ambassador of UAE to Pakistan Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi along with other high officials from the UAE side were present at the ceremony, the official news agency reported.

The MoU aims to strengthen the bilateral relations in the marine and logistic sectors of Pakistan and UAE.

Earlier in the day, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said that Pakistan and the UAE enjoyed strong brotherly ties which were being further strengthened with time.

He said Pakistan highly valued the UAE’s firm support to its economic and investment sectors.

The prime minister was talking to UAE Minister for Foreign Trade Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, who called on him, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

The prime minister said that during his recent visit to the UAE, both the countries had signed MoUs which would open a new era of economic cooperation between the two countries.

“The UAE is home to 1.8 million Pakistanis who are playing a role in the progress, prosperity and economic development of both brotherly countries,” the press release quoted the prime minister as saying.

He also stressed the need for cooperation in the aviation and tourism sectors, besides exploring the prospects in railway connectivity so that the people-to-people contacts could be further strengthened.

Prime Minister Kakar assured the government’s support for bringing traders and chambers of commerce and industry of the two countries closer.

He also conveyed his good wishes to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

During the meeting, Caretaker Minister for Maritime Affairs Shahid Ashraf Tarrar, UAE ambassador in Pakistan and other relevant senior officials were also present.

The UAE minister expressed the resolve to further strengthen trade ties with Pakistan.