https://arab.news/m2288
- Ambassador Faisal Tirmizi says Pakistan and the UAE should collaborate in the field of information technology
- The Pakistan envoy informs his country is working with the UAE in energy renewables, will soon see a big project
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top diplomat in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said on Wednesday he was striving to increase the quantum of trade between the two countries which reached $10.6 billion during the last calendar year.
In an interview to UAE’s official WAM news agency, Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi described the relations between the two countries as “historic.”
He recalled that Islamabad had sent its first envoy to the Gulf state six months before its independence, adding that the geographic proximity between the two countries favored the idea of further enhancing trade between them.
“The trade between Pakistan and the UAE during the last calendar year was $10.6 billion,” he said while pointing out that the Gulf state was already among the top three trading partners of his country.
Pakistan's Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi speaks with WAM news agency in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on January 4, 2022. (Photo courtesy: WAM agency)
“I strongly believe that the potential is much more,” he continued. “One of the main endeavors that I have been tasked with by the political administration of Pakistan is to increase trade, business opportunities, investment and cultural interactions between the two countries.”
Tirmizi said his ambition was to double the bilateral trade volume by helping the two sides collaborate in fintech and information technology.
“Last year, our exports increased to $3 billion in these sectors,” he said. “We have skilled manpower and new startups. I will be focusing very closely on this because I think there are immense opportunities between the UAE and Pakistan to further collaborate.”
Asked if Islamabad would be interested in partnering with the Gulf state in renewable energy, Tirmizi said his country was already discussing it with the UAE authorities.
“The UAE has taken a lead in the renewables,” he said. “They are investing both in technology and projects.”
“Pakistan will be working closely with it in this area,” he continued. “Hopefully, we will see a big project in the renewables in Pakistan.”
The Pakistani ambassador applauded the Gulf nation for sending help to his country after the recent floods that destroyed houses, farmlands and public infrastructure, saying the UAE was extremely generous in its response and greatly helped the rehabilitation efforts.