ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Pakistan, Salem Mohammed Salem Al Bawab Al Zaabi, called on Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepen bilateral economic ties and expedite progress on the Pakistan–UAE Compre-hensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Jam Kamal Khan underscored the historical, strategic, and people-to-people bonds between Pakistan and the UAE, describing the relationship as strong and time-tested across political, defence, and social spheres. He emphasised, however, that both countries are keen to translate this closeness into a more robust and balanced trade and investment partnership that reflects the true potential of bilateral relations.
Jam Kamal Khan highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing economic reforms and reiterated the government’s resolve to create a more enabling environment for business and investment. He noted that while the private sector has faced short-term challenges due to economic stabilisation measures, the government remains focused on medium-term growth, export expansion, and regional connectivity, particularly through partnerships with Gulf countries.
Ambassador Al Zaabi appreciated Pakistan’s reform efforts and the professionalism of the technical teams engaged in the CEPA negotiations. He lauded Pakistan’s market size, human capital, and strategic location, and conveyed the UAE’s strong interest in expanding cooperation in trade, logistics, ports, infrastructure, manufacturing, and investment facilitation.
Both sides also discussed opportunities for joint ventures, trilateral cooperation in third-country markets, and enhanced collaboration in emerging regions such as Central Asia and Africa. The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to maintain close coordination and ensure the timely completion of the CEPA process, paving the way for a new phase of mutually beneficial economic partnership between Pakistan and the UAE.
Previously Pakistan Ambassador to UAE had intimated that the UAE side had communicated that response of Pakistan’s Commerce Ministry is slow on Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which needs to be expedited.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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