Zardari meets UAE leaders to expand trade, investment and logistics cooperation

President Asif Ali Zardari held meetings with senior United Arab Emirates leadership in Dubai, focusing on expanding trade, investment, and broader economic cooperation between Pakistan and the UAE.

In talks with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum—UAE vice president, prime minister, and ruler of Dubai—both sides reaffirmed commitment to strengthening what they described as long-standing brotherly relations. The discussions emphasised closer collaboration across economic and commercial areas, with attention on attracting investment and widening trade opportunities.

Zardari praised Dubai’s transformation into a global hub spanning tourism, finance, and emerging technologies, and explored how Pakistan could draw on that experience. The two sides exchanged views on cooperation in ports and logistics, infrastructure development, information technology, and digital financial services.

Pakistan’s delegation included First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Pakistan’s ambassador to the UAE. Zardari highlighted Pakistan’s economic reforms, investment facilitation efforts, and privatisation agenda while discussing opportunities in infrastructure, logistics, food security, and technology-driven sectors.

He also extended an invitation for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to visit Pakistan and stressed the importance of continued high-level engagement. The leaders referenced recent UAE-Pakistan exchanges and noted the contribution of the Pakistani community in the UAE to people-to-people ties.

Separately, Zardari met DP World Group Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem to discuss expanding cooperation in trade and freight connectivity, including rail freight modernisation, inland logistics, and integrated freight corridors. Pakistani officials said the goal is to position the country as a regional trade and transit hub through stronger connectivity and modern logistics infrastructure.

The report also noted that Zardari earlier met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, where both sides reviewed cooperation and explored fresh opportunities across trade, energy, infrastructure, and technology, alongside regional and international issues.