Staff Repoter
ISLAMABAD,: President Dr Arif Alvi has called for early finalization of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates to enable Pakistan increase its exports.
He was talking to Pakistan’s Ambassador-designate to UAE Faisal Niaz Tirmizi who called on him in Islamabad on Monday.
The President underlined the need for exploring new avenues in economic diplomacy and investments with UAE and increase existing bilateral trade volume between the two countries.
He highlighted the huge potential for cooperation in the field of renewable energy, commercial, industrial, infrastructure development and hospitality sectors.
Dr Arif Alvi noted that remittances sent by 1.6 million Pakistani diaspora in UAE stood at 5.814 billion dollars in 2021-22 which immensely helped Pakistan overcome its foreign exchange requirements.
Mentioning Prime Minister’s ‘DigiSkills Training program’, the President asked the ambassador-designate to create digital linkages of the Pakistani diaspora with the online higher education institutions of Pakistan like AIOU and Virtual University to help them improve their income through latest digital skills.
He also advised the ambassador to sensitize the UAE leadership regarding increasing Islamophobia in Indian society and their pursuit of Hindutva, which is endangering the lives of minorities, especially Muslims living there.
The President conveyed his gratitude to the UAE for its assistance to the flood victims in Pakistan and also appreciated the country’s support to Pakistan at FATF and IMF.
