PM Shehbaz arrives in UAE on one-day visit

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates for a one-day visit on Thursday, his first since coming to power after the February 8 polls.

On arrival, the premier was welcomed by Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Among the attendees at the reception were Pakistani Ambassador to the UAE Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Al Zaabi, and high-ranking Pakistani and Emirati officials.

Read PM seeks UAE investment in aviation, tourism

Shehbaz is expected to discuss bilateral relations, with a special focus on trade and investment with the UAE ruler.

The premier is also expected to convene meetings with other prominent Emirati dignitaries, business leaders, and heads of financial institutions, according to the statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). On this occasion, Shehbaz will deliver a speech, with PTV News airing it live at 2:30 PM PST.

The government is eyeing billions of dollars in investment from Gulf countries, particularly from Saudi Arabia and UAE to shore up the country’s foreign reserves and spur industrial growth.

The civil-military-led Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) was established during the first term of Shehbaz government. The council is meant to offer one window operation to foreign investors.

The SIFC has since then identified several potential areas for Saudi and UAE investors. The government is offering lucrative returns to Arab investors in the fields of agriculture, mines and minerals, energy, and other sectors.