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ISLAMABAD: The UAE-Pakistan Aid Program (UAE-PAP) has successfully completed 165 projects in various fields, including economic, human, social, Health, education and infrastructure in Pakistan.
The UAE embassy, in partnership with UAE charities and humanitarian organisations, in an interview on Pakistan’s 75th Independence Day that appeared in the UAE media, the ambassador has achieved notable success in further improving the overall relationship between the two countries, he said, Has worked on humanitarian and social welfare projects.
The UAE-Pakistan Aid Programme (UAE-PAP) was launched to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Pakistan and support their development initiatives for a better future. He added that its mission is to implement development assistance projects that provide sustainable and sustained benefits to the people of Pakistan in the long run.
The ambassador recalled that, as of 2021, more than 30,000 Pakistani students have been enrolled in schools built under the UAE-Pakistan aid program, with an estimated investment value of $200 million. The project is also playing a vital role in eradicating polio in Pakistan in partnership with the World Health Organization and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
He said the UAE’s polio campaign has delivered more than 86 million vaccines to Pakistani children, adding that many other organisations such as Khalifa bin Zayed Humanitarian Foundation, Mohammed bin Rashid The charitable and humanitarian agency De Al Maktoum, as well as the Emirates Red Crescent Society, has provided assistance in several areas of Pakistan.
The UAE supports Pakistan’s efforts to contain the Covid-19 pandemic by providing medical aid and vaccines, he said, adding that the UAE embassy has launched various cultural programmes such as marathons, art exhibitions, Covid-19 awareness campaigns and seminars.
To a question, he said that based on deep historical and cultural ties, the UAE and Pakistan have a unique friendship that has withstood the test of time. He added that over the years our cooperation has expanded to all key areas.
“Especially in the economic field, our two countries have strengthened bilateral coordination in recent years. The UAE has played a vital role in ensuring Pakistan’s economic and financial stability by providing assistance at critical times. In 2019, the UAE released $2 billion to support the country’s financial and monetary policy and enhance liquidity and foreign reserves,” he said.
The UAE ambassador said the two countries announced a strategic economic partnership to set up an investment fund to invest US$1 billion in key sectors of Pakistan. In the political and diplomatic realms, the UAE is also working with international partners, including Pakistan, to strengthen global security and stability. “Since my appointment as head of mission in 2017, I have worked hard to strengthen bilateral relations in the political, economic and social fields.”
He said this happened in the context of mutual visits between the top leaders of the two countries. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum visited Pakistan. On the other hand, Pakistani leaders including Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif visited the UAE. “Our country is an important partner in the region, and I believe these visits help to further strengthen our relationship,” he said.
On another question, the envoy said that despite the challenges posed by the pandemic to the global tourism industry, Pakistan’s cultural diversity and landscapes have attracted many Emiratis. Notably, Emirati climber Syed Khamis Almemari successfully climbed K2, the highest peak in Pakistan, thus becoming the first Arab to reach this unprecedented achievement. “We believe that adventure tourism in Pakistan will continue to attract tourists seeking to explore the country’s many offerings.”
On another question on the economic relations between the two countries, Ambassador Hamad Obaid Al-Zaabi said that the response of UAE investors to Pakistani investments has been very constructive as many investment and trade agreements were signed during Expo 2020 Dubai. “Many companies are now entering the Pakistani market to expand economic cooperation on projects covering various fields,” he added.
The UAE is Pakistan’s largest trading partner in the Middle East, with a trade value of $8 billion in 2021, the ambassador said, adding that the country is also a major source of investment and remittances. The UAE plans to invest $1 billion in Pakistan’s gas, renewable energy, infrastructure, healthcare, biotechnology, agriculture, logistics, digital communications, e-commerce and financial services, he said, adding that this is an existing UAE investment supplement. banking, telecommunications, agriculture and real estate development.
Expressing his thoughts on this auspicious day, he said, “First of all, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the Government and people of Pakistan on the 75th anniversary of their country’s independence. I am delighted to share this celebration as our two My country is also commemorating the golden jubilee of our relationship. I am confident that my second home, Pakistan, with its rich cultural history, geographic diversity and great economic potential, will continue to move towards peace and development. I also believe that in the leaders of both countries Under the leadership of the two countries, bilateral relations will continue to flourish and reach new heights.”
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