December 2, 2007 is the 36th anniversary of the founding of the Federation of the United Arab Emirates. On this auspicious occasion , I extend on my behalf and on behalf of the Government and people of the UAE our thanks and gratitude to the Government and people of Pakistan for sending greeting messages and sharing our celebrations.
During this year, the Emirates witnessed steady evolution in the economic and trade sectors sustained by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, the President of UAE and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, Ruler of Dubai.
This year the Gross Domestic Product has grown by a remarkable 23.4 per cent to nearly US $163 billion, in 2006, partly because of high oil prices. The non-oil sector has, however recorded substantial growth, rising by 20.3 per cent to US $102 billion, with the real estate, business services and construction sectors each increasing their contribution to overall GDP. The UAE has seen a 27% jump in its exports reaching $115.5billion. The imports have recorded 12% to reach $80.7 billion.
The United Arab Emirates continued to play a vital role in the regional and international affairs. In my endeavour to strengthen the bilateral relations, I have tried since my assignment as Head of the Mission on personal empowerment by late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to give an impetus to the brotherly relations at all political, economic and social levels.
There were exchange of visits at the highest level specially the visits of H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince ,Deputy Supreme commander of the Armed Forces and H.H.Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai to Pakistan in January and May respectively as well as the several visits to UAE by H.E. Pervez Musharraf the President of Pakistan. UAE and Pakistan are close neighbours and with these exchange of visits , our friendly relations are bound to grow.
One of the important events was the meeting of the Joint Ministerial Commission in Islamabad on June 11-12, co-chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and former Foreign Minister of Pakistan. H.E. Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri.
The meeting culminated in signing/memoranda of understanding, and agreements between the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan namely MOU on bilateral establishment of a mechanism for political consultation between the two Foreign Ministries and another on the establishment of a Joint Business Council , agreement on joint co-operation against terrorism and organised crimes, a protocol on the co-operation in the field of Culture and Media.
The UAE has emerged as one of the largest investors in Pakistan. In view of the conducive investment environment in Pakistan, it is a matter of pride that Public and private companies have actively invested in various areas in Pakistan to the tune of US $20 billion.
We will continue to explore other areas of investments and trade partnership.
Currently trade between the two countries has crossed 5.5 billion dollars during the financial year recording an increase of 20 percent over the previous year.
The latest is the agreement signed between Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Investment Corporation (IPIC) and Pak-Arab Refinery Corporation (PARCO) to set up Khalifa Coastal Refinery in Hub, Balochistan at a cost of US $5 billion with running capacity of three hundred thousand barrels of oil daily.
I am highly committed in co-operation with the humanitarian and charity organisations of UAE to implement their humanitarian and social welfare projects, the foundation of which was laid by late Sheikh Zayed and is pursued by H.H Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President. So far, more than 250 projects including hospitals, schools, housing units and sanctuaries for protection of wild life stand as landmarks in various parts of Pakistan and far flung areas.
To eliminate the Polio disease, the UAE has joined WHO in its campaign against polio by providing around US $1 million and assisted by sending medical teams from UAE. It has also been successful in launching a programme for rehabilitation and compensation to Camel Jockeys who returned from UAE.
My country is already taking active part in the reconstruction and rehabilitation stages in the earthquake affected regions in accordance to the policy of the Government of Pakistan.
As part of its projects, the UAE Red Crescent has financed the construction of a maternity and child care centre in Bagh to be executed by UNICEF and a vocational training centre in Mansehra district under the supervision of Pakistan's Red Crescent Society.
The UAE Red Crescent Clinic in Balakot, the only one in the district is providing medical services to the people of Balakot and the adjoining villages since February 2006 and supervised by the Embassy.
In the end I would like to offer my gratitude to the leadership of our brotherly country Pakistan for extending full support in our endeavour to promote bilateral relations. While appreciating the tremendous development made by the government and people of Pakistan in various fields, I assure that my country will always remain committed to work jointly for the mutual benefit of our brotherly countries.
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