Pakistan to encourage international tourism through UAE, says Ambassador Tirmizi

Abu Dhabi: Pakistan Ambassador to the UAE Faisal Niaz Tirmizi has invited Emiratis and the expatriates communities to visit Pakistan which has a lot to offer for tourists.

“We encourage international tourists to come to Pakistan through UAE,” Ambassador Tirmizi said while identifying some sectors where two countries can increase their cooperation. “We have Pakistan’s Indus valley civilisation which has contributed richly to the world heritage. We have Gandhara civilisation, a rich Islamic heritage, and a Sikh heritage that we would like to promote in the UAE. Pakistan pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai had also depicted the strong culture and civilisation of Pakistan,” he added,

“We also want to promote culture, music, and art footprint in the UAE and vice versa. We will encourage Emiratis as well as other nationalities to visit Pakistan and enjoy the rich diversity, the natural beauty of the country, and most importantly the warmth of our people,” the ambassador said.

Tirmizi who assumed the charge as Pakistan Ambassador to the UAE in October 2022, said that the bilateral trade between Pakistan and the UAE is expected to grow double in 2023 from the US$10.6 billion (Dh38.92b) volume achieved in 2021-2022. “The last calendar year recorded a US$10.6 billion in trade -- the highest volume Pakistan had in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region,” he added.

“The potential is much more. I have been tasked by the political leadership of my country to increase trade, promote business opportunities, investment and elevate cultural interaction between Pakistan and the UAE,” he told the Emirates News Agency (WAM) in an interview.

"Pakistanis consider the UAE their second home and vice versa. The close geographical proximity between the two countries gives a great opportunity to work together,” he said, adding that around 1.6 million Pakistanis are residing in the UAE and during 2020-2021 they sent $6.11 billion in remittances.

CEPA an opportunity to increase trade The Ambassador confirmed that Pakistan has started negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE and hoped to have significant progress by the year’s end. “Yes, we are working on this, it is very important. The ministry of commerce of Pakistan is in touch with the relevant authorities in the UAE and hopefully, we will make some significant progress on this agreement before 2023.”

The UAE is the biggest trading partner of Pakistan in the MENA region, he said, adding that CEPA would provide an opportunity for the two countries to increase their bilateral trade many folds. So far, the UAE has signed CEPA with three countries.

The ambassador highlighted three sectors namely Fintech, IT, and Startups, where Pakistan and the UAE can further collaborate.

“Last year our exports increased to US$3 billion in these sectors. We have skilled manpower and new start-ups. I will be focusing very closely on this, because I think there are immense opportunities between the UAE and Pakistan to further collaborate.”

Ambassador Tirmizi said that the UAE was the most generous country that provided humanitarian relief to flood-affected areas in Pakistan, thanking President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for his noble gesture.

The UAE established an air bridge to transport humanitarian aid to the people affected by the unprecedented floods. “They have sent over 70 flights carrying relief items,” he said. “This was critical for those people affected by the floods.”

Pakistan is organising an international conference on “Climate Resilient Pakistan” in Geneva on Jan. 9, 2023 to mobilise international community support towards building back better after the devastating floods.

It will be co-chaired by the country’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Pakistan has estimated flood damages to exceed US$14.9 billion, economic losses over US$15.2 billion, and reconstruction needs over US$16 billion.

“That (conference) will be a massive reconstruction effort towards rebuilding the lives and livelihoods of those affected,” the ambassador said.