Pakistan, UAE economic ties set to deepen with CEPA progress

 Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral economic relations and fast-tracking the Pakistan–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aimed to build a more robust and balanced trade and investment partnership.

Both sides also explored opportunities for joint ventures, trilateral cooperation in third-country markets, and collaboration in emerging regions such as Central Asia and Africa, according to a press release issued.

This came during a meeting between Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and UAE Ambassador to Pakistan Salem Mohammed Salem Al Bawab Al Zaabi.

Jam Kamal Khan highlighted the historical, strategic, and people-to-people ties between the two countries and stressed the government’s focus on medium-term economic growth, export expansion, and regional connectivity, particularly through partnerships with Gulf nations.

Ambassador Al Zaabi praised Pakistan’s reform efforts and the professionalism of the technical teams involved in CEPA negotiations.

He also lauded Pakistan’s market potential, human capital, and strategic location, expressing the UAE’s strong interest in expanding cooperation in trade, logistics, ports, infrastructure, manufacturing, and investment facilitation.

The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to maintain close coordination and ensure timely completion of the CEPA process, paving the way for a new phase of mutually beneficial economic partnership between Pakistan and the UAE.