Islamabad: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from Feb. 10-11 to take part in the World Governments Summit (WGS), the foreign office said on Sunday, adding that the premier will engage in discussions with world leaders about the future of governance and international cooperation.
According to the WGS’ official website, over 400 ministers and thousands of industry leaders, experts, and policymakers will head to Dubai for the summit which will be held from Feb. 11-13. As per the WGS, the event will also welcome more than 80 international, regional and intergovernmental organizations to join in the discussion on the future of governance, global challenges and their innovative solutions.
This will be Sharif’s second visit to the UAE since assuming office in March last year, the foreign office said. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and other key members of the federal cabinet.
“During his visit, the Prime Minister will deliver a keynote address at the WGS, highlighting Pakistan’s vision for inclusive economic growth, digital transformation and governance reforms,” the foreign office said.
“He will also hold bilateral meetings with the UAE leadership as well as engage with Heads of State/Government from participating countries and leading CEOs of major multinational companies.”
The statement said Sharif’s visit underscores Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to further strengthening its ties with the UAE, fostering greater economic collaboration and exploring new avenues of partnership for mutual prosperity.
The UAE is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner after China and the United States, and a major source of foreign investment valued at over $10 billion in the last 20 years, according to the UAE’s foreign ministry.
Policymakers in Pakistan consider the UAE an optimal export destination due to its geographical proximity, which minimizes transportation and freight costs while facilitating commercial transactions.
It is also home to more than a million Pakistani expatriates, making it the second-largest Pakistani expatriate community worldwide, as per the foreign office, and a major source of foreign workers’ remittances for Pakistan.
Pakistan and UAE have stepped up efforts in recent years to strengthen their business and investment relations. In January 2024, Pakistan and the UAE signed multiple agreements worth more than $3 billion for cooperation in railways, economic zones and infrastructure, a Pakistani official said, amid Pakistani caretaker prime minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar’s visit to Davos for the World Economic Forum’s summit.
