The UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, met with Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce, Syed Naveed Qamar, to discuss ways to enhance trade and investment cooperation between the two countries. Dr. Al Zeyoudi highlighted the strong and long-standing relationship between the UAE and Pakistan and pointed out that the UAE is Pakistan’s leading investment partner in the region and fifth globally. Total Emirati investments in Pakistani markets exceed Dh9 billion ($2.5 billion), covering a wide range of economic and trade activities. The meeting is expected to lead to an increase in trade and investment exchange, encouraging business communities to boost their investments and benefit from promising investment prospects in each other’s markets. The UAE was Pakistan’s leading trade partner in the region in 2021, with their non-oil foreign trade reaching Dh25.7 billion ($7 billion) in 2022, a 30% increase from the previous year. The UAE accounts for over 40% of Pakistan’s trade with Arab countries. Re-exports from the UAE to Pakistan amounted to Dh10.6 billion ($2.9 billion), reflecting a 7.7% growth compared to 2021.