As bilateral commerce reaches over $10 billion, the Pakistan-UAE Business Council calls for policy continuity.
As bilateral commerce increased to $10.1 billion in fiscal year 2024-25, the Pakistan-UAE Business Council (PUBC) of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) appealed on Saturday for continued policy momentum to realize the full potential of bilateral investment and trade flows.
According to the PUBC, the UAE is still Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner, behind China and the US. Remittances are expected to surpass $7 billion in 2025, a crucial factor in balancing Pakistan’s external account, demonstrating the economic stability provided by the 1.8 million Pakistani diaspora in the United Arab Emirates.
PUBC Chairman Diwan Fakhruddin said in a statement released on Saturday that intentional policy changes are transforming the relationship between Pakistan and the UAE from a close-knit brotherhood to a smart, mutually beneficial economic partnership.
“However, the ongoing trade imbalance (imports greatly exceeding Pakistan’s $2.1 billion exports in FY25) calls for coordinated efforts to diversify Pakistani exports into the UAE market, concentrating on value-added textiles, specialized agricultural products, and IT/ITeS services,” he stated.
Fakhruddin emphasized the recent change in the UAE’s investment orientation as well as the effectiveness of a high-level policy framework.
In order to ensure that these investment initiatives are implemented successfully, he encouraged the government to remove any remaining regulatory barriers.
According to the UAE’s foreign ministry, the Gulf state has contributed more than $10 billion in foreign investment to Pakistan over the past 20 years. Because of its close proximity, which lowers freight and transportation costs while promoting business dealings, policymakers in Pakistan view the UAE as an ideal export destination.
In recent years, both nations have increased their attempts to fortify their economic ties. Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates inked several agreements totaling over $3 billion in January 2024 to collaborate on infrastructure, economic zones, and railroads.As bilateral commerce increased to $10.1 billion in fiscal year 2024-25, the Pakistan-UAE Business Council (PUBC) of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) appealed on Saturday for continued policy momentum to realize the full potential of bilateral investment and trade flows.
According to the PUBC, the UAE is still Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner, behind China and the US. Remittances are expected to surpass $7 billion in 2025, a crucial factor in balancing Pakistan’s external account, demonstrating the economic stability provided by the 1.8 million Pakistani diaspora in the United Arab Emirates.
PUBC Chairman Diwan Fakhruddin said in a statement released on Saturday that intentional policy changes are transforming the relationship between Pakistan and the UAE from a close-knit brotherhood to a smart, mutually beneficial economic partnership.
“However, the ongoing trade imbalance (imports greatly exceeding Pakistan’s $2.1 billion exports in FY25) calls for coordinated efforts to diversify Pakistani exports into the UAE market, concentrating on value-added textiles, specialized agricultural products, and IT/ITeS services,” he stated.
Fakhruddin emphasized the recent change in the UAE’s investment orientation as well as the effectiveness of a high-level policy framework.
In order to ensure that these investment initiatives are implemented successfully, he encouraged the government to remove any remaining regulatory barriers.
According to the UAE’s foreign ministry, the Gulf state has contributed more than $10 billion in foreign investment to Pakistan over the past 20 years. Because of its close proximity, which lowers freight and transportation costs while promoting business dealings, policymakers in Pakistan view the UAE as an ideal export destination.
In recent years, both nations have increased their attempts to fortify their economic ties. Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates inked several agreements totaling over $3 billion in January 2024 to collaborate on infrastructure, economic zones, and railroads.