ABU DHABI: UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari yesterday held an in-depth discussion that covered bilateral ties and the regional and international issues of mutual interest. Zardari, who arrived here on a two-day official visit yesterday, held wide-ranging talks with the president.
They expressed satisfaction over the existing cooperation between two countries in various fields and pledged to further strengthen their mutual ties particularly in trade and investment.
They also reviewed ways to enhance that cooperation for the benefit of the people. The discussed issues also included encouraging UAE public and private investment in joint ventures in the fields of energy, agriculture, construction and infrastructure development.
According to sources, several strategic agreements are expected to be signed during the visit, including two pacts for setting up a joint investment board and a Pakistan-UAE Friendship Forum that will boost cultural, social and business ties between the two countries.
Zardari will also meet Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Finance Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al-Maktoum and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.
Sources said that Zardari would also meet heads of many private sector companies to seek investment in Pakistan and hold talks with Etisalat, Emirates Investment and the Pakistan business community. Ministers accompanying Zardari would also discuss topics related to security, strategic co-operation and economic development in Pakistan.
Today Zardari is scheduled to hold individual meetings with high-ranking government officials and officials of companies in the petroleum and investment sectors, among others.
