UAE ready to invest in Pakistan

Mehmood-Ul-Hassan Khan

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahyan

Most recently, on the special invitation of the National Media Council, UAE the press delegation from Pakistan visited the United Arab Emirates and mat with many high officials and dignitaries like Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. He affirmed that United Arab Emirates was ready make investments in Pakistan’s different fields not confined only to energy, infrastructure development, industry, health, education and agriculture.

“Pakistan is an ideal destination for FDI and FPI. It provides unlimited opportunities in many sectors fields,” said Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, who is also the Chairman of UAE’s largest investment group.

He again showed his commitment and said UAE would further expand its portfolio in Pakistan which would be win-win position for both the countries. Sheikh Nahyan said the recent series of economic measures in Pakistan were taking roots and were a source of strength for the investors in UAE.

He said he had high hopes and expectations from Pakistan and its people and firmly believed that they would be able to face the socio-economic, geo-political and geo-strategic challenges and come out successfully. “I wish Pakistan will soon be able to overcome all its problems and emerge stronger and better,” he further said.

Sheikh Nahyan assured the press delegation from Pakistan that UAE would continue its financial, political, moral and diplomatic support at Friends of Democratic Pakistan group. He recently received the ‘Largest foreign investor of Pakistan’ award, the first-ever presented by the Pakistani private sector to an investment group by Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Privatization and Investment.

Marvelous education development

He proudly shared that education sector of UAE had achieved high standards of research and development.

“Sheikh Nahyan is a man who believes that “spending in education is the most feasible investment in the future” and is known to say to parents: “We will work together to serve and develop the country and its sons.” His enthusiasm for education is evident in his surprise inspections of schools right across the UAE; with such a prominent advocate for academic reform, it isn’t surprising that the UAE Government has allocated close to a quarter of the Dh42 billion ($11 billion) 2009 budget for education”.

No gender discrimination

“We are equal opportunity country and there is not gender discrimination”.
He said the literacy rate had touched 90 per cent for both genders, while the enrollment of girls in schools was rapidly increasing and number 1 in the region. He said women now succeeded to replace males in many fields and especially in the federal government sectors. He said the United Arab Emirates was open to all nationalities, with a freedom to pursue their own religions.

Sheikh Nahyan is also the chancellor of two of the UAE’s three institutions of higher learning and the chairman of Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training, he said a large number of highly qualified Muslims were conducting quality research and development work in the West, but regretted that Muslim countries had made no effort to do much in this regard.