Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Faisal Niaz Tirmizi has said that the negotiations between Pakistan and the UAE on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) have resulted in significant progress, adding that as the two Countries are working on multiple projects, the world will witness the results of this long-term relationship in the next few years.
“We are working on the renewable energy, agricultural sector, and setting up more oil refineries in Pakistan. So, it is a multifaceted relationship that we are working with the UAE. You will see the results very soon,” said the ambassador in an interview aired on Dubai TV on February 27, 2024.
Talking about the relationship between the two Country, Ambassador Faisal Tirmizi said that the linkages between the people of Pakistan and UAE are historic and long lasting. He said that the UAE is presently home to 1.8 million Pakistanis wo call the United Arab Emirates as their second home.
The ambassador told that he has been in the UAE for a year and half, and they are working a number of projects.
“We have signed 13 agreements with the UAE government on different projects,” he said.
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Ambassador Faisal Tirmizi said that the bilateral trade between the two Countries stands around US$ 10 billion but he strongly believes that the protentional is much more.
The envoy said that the UAE has invested heavily in Pakistan. While in terms of government-to-government and private sector engagement, the UAE has invested US$ 3 to 4 billion in Pakistan. He also said that the Abu Dhabi Port and Dubai Ports World have invested in Pakistani Ports, and now the two Countries are also working on renewable energy.
“We are working on a lot of projects with the UAE, and off course, sky is the limit,” he remarked.
Apprising about the potential of Pakistan having a papulation of 250 million and 67 percent of them being under 30 years of age, the ambassador told that Pakistan is situated right at the crossroads of Central Asia, South Asia, and Middle East, providing the shortest routes to energy corridors to the world.
“We are situated right next to China and India, and we have an access to Central Asia and Afghanistan, so we are historically a natural connector between the region and the world,” he said.
