Dubai: Foreign investment is essential in bringing stability to Pakistan because stability there can ensure stability in the region and the world, said a top UAE official.
Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister, said the UAE has been and will remain a major contributor in terms of investment in Pakistan in various fields.
"We would like to ask you to take full advantage of this event to assist and support Pakistan in its efforts to be a stable country," Shaikh Abdullah told the inaugural session of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Investment Conference held on Tuesday in Dubai.
The UAE hosted the conference under the platform of Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FODP) whose aim was to provide an opportunity for interaction between the public and private sectors of Pakistan and FODP member countries and their commercial organisations.
More than 400 dele-gates from around the world, including FODP member countries, major financial institutions and businessmen attended the conference, at which Pakistani officials introduced projects which are open to public-private sector investment.
"The UAE has always been a steadfast friend of Pakistan. The successful experience of the UAE investors in Pakistan is clear proof that Pakistan offers exciting business opportunities," said Shaikh Abdullah.
"This conference will be a step forward towards stability in Pakistan and the stability of the region as a whole," he added.
He said the UAE committed $300 million (Dh1 billion) at the Tokyo FODP conference.
Expectation
"We will have more investment in the public-private sector in Pakistan and also expect Pakistani businessmen to invest here in the UAE," he added.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmoud Qureshi meanwhile said that Pakistan has suffered immensely at the hands of militancy and terrorism.
"In addition to losing thousands of lives, including civilians, policemen and military personnel, we also suffered huge economic losses in terms of infrastructure, investment and exports to the tune of $35 billion since 9/11," he said as he thanked the UAE for its great support.
Qureshi said that it is the right time to invest in Pakistan so that the war against terror will not go on forever.
"We are going to succeed as we are moving full throttle in the war against terrorism and in all areas of the economy. We want you to help us and join us in this process.
"Your timely and sustained engagement will help step up our march in progress," he added.
