Mehmood-Ul-Hassan Khan
On the special invitation of the National Media council UAE, a press delegation from Pakistan visited UAE and actively participated in the 38th National Day Celebrations. The press delegation met with Sheikh Muhammad bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai at his Palace in Dubai on 19th November instant. They met Speaker of UAE’s Federal National Council (FNC) Abdul Aziz Al-Ghurair, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of Trade Sheikha Lubna, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahyan and the Central Bank Governor Sultan Bin Nasser al-Suwaidi.
It was indeed great experience to meet them and know about the different aspects of UAE socio-economic development, dynamics of political stability, multidimensional foreign policy, and the strength and sustainability of the banking and financial system of the UAE. They were all very cooperative, knowledgeable, and assertive in their fields. They were thorough professional yet very simple human beings. We were amazed about their pure, simple and humanistic spirits towards us.
Sheikh Muhammad bin Rashid al Maktoum affirmed his strong commitment towards the strengthening of bilateral relations with Pakistan. UAE and Pakistan has strategic partnership and our diplomatic relations are based on mutual respect, cooperation, coordination and commitment. “Prospects are high about UAE investments in Pakistan in different sector It will be strengthened in the days to come”.
UAE is the third largest trading partner of Pakistan with a total trade volume of $5,483 million of which exports from Pakistan amount to $2070 million. Currently around 850 thousands Pakistanis are playing their role in the development and progress of their brotherly country.
He shared his in-depth valuable views about the many important issues relating to socio-economic development, macro-economic recovery, terrorism, education, women empowerment, health care and last not least alternative/renewable energy scenarios. He proudly said that despite the West propaganda, the UAE has succeeded to overcome the ongoing global economic recession and financial shortage and still has strong, stable and sustainable macro-economy which is making rapid progress by every passing day. UAE had proved that its macro-economy stability and sustainability was based on strong foundation and misperception about its burst is not a reality. There is no fear of banking crisis and liquidity crunch in the financial markets expected in the country. The latest reports of the IMF and WB verify that the economy of UAE is still flourishing and standing on strong base and prospects are very high” He proudly mentioned his highly projected Dubai Strategic Plan 2015, which aims to make Dubai’s No.1 destination for FDI, business, and development.
He shared with his vision about the welfare of his people, socio-economic prosperity, technological progression, environment protection, higher education, deterrence, and active contributory participation of women. He was happy to say about gender equality, minority right, human trafficking, and above all institutionalization of social justice. He proudly said that most of his dreams have already been realized. He dreams which he saw are now paying its dividends and playing important role in the development of UAE.
He spoke highly about the successful completion of Dubai Metro project which is the first in the whole region. It has reduced distances and brought elements of comfort, beautifulness and ease. It is the icon of service, speed, execution. Traveling with Dubai Metro is a great experience and excitement too. Sheikh Maktoum told that peaceful nuclear energy program which would be instrumental to fulfill the future requirements of energy in the years to come”. We personally think that he is man of action, persuasion, progress, prosperity, commitment and command.
According to Speaker of UAE’s Federal National Council (FNC) Abdul Aziz Al-Ghurair FNC is playing tremendous role in the political stability and sustainability of the UAE. It provides true spirits of democracy, guarantees media and press freedom and above all safeguards the rights of women and minority’s rights. It maintains our own national identity. He said the objective of setting up the council was to study the demographics of UAE that is home to around 165 different nationalities and is skewed heavily in favour of its expatriate community.
The Speaker spoke highly about the UAE liberal and progressive policy which has already enabled them to achieve their goals. He said the UAE was the only federation in the region and was successfully making advancement towards democracy gradually. He said at present there were no political parties. “We do not have political uncertainty and any confrontation, because we believe that politics stands for comfort not confrontation, development not destruction, decency not deceive and on top of all coordination not conspiracy. So, we all work for our national interests. “We are gender equality nation” he said and pointed larger number of women was working in federal government departments. He strongly rejected any linkage between Islam and terrorism and said extremist elements can be found in every society. “Islam stands for peace, prosperity and harmony and no divine religion allows these kinds of fanatic activities. Root causes should be traced and three pronged strategy of dialogue, development and deterrence must be initiated simultaneously. We judged that the Speaker of FNC was man of high caliber, wisdom, sensibility and sincerity. He personally knew the importance of diplomacy, dialogue, and public relations.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash endorsed that UAE will be extending its support to Pakistan in years to come for its efforts to counter extremism and terrorism and will back its bid to bring peace in the region. He was worried about the misperception about Islam and terrorism. “Extremism and terrorism have spoiled our religion. He strongly rejected the concept of ‘Clash of Civilizations”. It was politically motivated and nothing to deal with any sacred religion. He also mentioned its socio-economic and financial support of Pakistan through the Friends of Democratic Pakistan forum. He once again promised that UAE will continue to extend fullest support to the brotherly people of Pakistan to help them overcome all their difficulties. He showed his great concerns in political instability in Afghanistan. “We believe that Afghanistan needs support and we will continue to help them in their rehabilitation and rebuilding”. He pinpointed many emerging and political geo-political and geo-strategic issues in the region not confined only to extremism, terrorism, nuclearisation, and the unresolved burning Arab Israel issue in the region.
He shared inputs about UAE’s nuclear program. He said his nuclear program is a peaceful mission and we are open, transparent and responsible. He said it was vital to switch over to nuclear energy, however made it clear that the UAE would not be doing any enrichment locally and would meet all international obligations in this regard. The UAE State minister categorically said his country would continue to support the Palestinian Authority diplomatically, economically, politically and financially as it was important that the matter was resolved at the earliest. He showed his grip on different subjects not confined only to politics, philosophy, international relation, history, diplomacy, economics, and geo-strategic disciplines. He was man of knowledge.
Minister of Foreign Trade Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi said that UAE is poised to achieve significant economic gains by the end of 2009. She also said that there were strong economic pointers indicating an economic upswing. She said, with the help of the private sector, the country was on course to achieve three percent growth despite the ongoing global economic crisis, adding that the UAE grew by 7.4 percent during 2008. She said “The UAE has emerged from the most difficult phase of the crisis with minimal losses. Our key indicators show that economic growth will be back on track by the last quarter of 2009 and start of 2010.”
She assured press delegation of Pakistan that her country is willing to make substantial and diversified investments in Pakistan. She stressed to need to have a “fair and free international trade and monetary system. She showed great concerns about the “economic protectionism” which is against the spirits of ministerial talks of WTO. She also shared her valuable views about the climate change, trade imbalance, and creation of any new currency. She was icon of delivery, productivity, positivity, and above all authority. She can speak on any national, regional or international socio-economic or financial crisis. We really impressed with her friendly and energetic attitudes towards us.
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research 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.”
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. 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 proudly shared that education sector of UAE had achieved high standards of research and development. “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. We all mesmerized with his humanity qualities. He was friendly, cooperative and committed. He was thorough gentleman with a great mission of education, tolerance, interfaith harmony, women empowerment, human rights and the last not the least making lots of FDI in Pakistan.
UAE Central Bank Governor Sultan Bin Nasser al-Suwaidi told international media group that the UAE non performing loans ratio is 6-7 percent, banking spread is not big, inflation is under control, and above all there is no banking liquidity crunch in the country. “UAE has no intention of delinking its national currency from the US dollar and said the federation of the seven states has come out of it.
“Macro-economy is healthy and sound and volumes of trade are gradually picking up, he said that UAE has successfully come out ongoing global economic recession and financial crunch. He was very expressive, focused and professional. He immaculately answered all the questions of the press group. He showed great promise and hope about the banking and financial system of the UAE which was based on reality not mirage as projected by the Western media.
The CEO of Masdar Sultan Al Jaber said that Masdar City is the world’s first carbon-neutral zero waste city and is head quarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). He briefed us that as the first major hydrocarbon-producing economy to take such a step UAE has established its leadership position by launching the Masdar initiative a global cooperative platform for the open engagement in the search for solutions to some of mankind’s most pressing issues energy security climate change and the development of human expertise in many diversified fields. The city is being constructed 17 kilometres (11 mi) east-south-east of the city of Abu Dhabi, beside Abu Dhabi International Airport.
“Masdar city will employ a variety of renewable power sources. Among the first construction projects will be a 40 to 60 megawatt solar power plant which will supply power for all other construction activity. This will later be followed by a larger facility, and additional photovoltaic modules will be placed on rooftops to provide supplemental solar energy totaling 130 megawatts. Wind farms will be established outside the city’s perimeter capable of producing up to 20 megawatts, and the city intends to utilise geothermal power as well. In addition, Masdar plans to host the world’s largest hydrogen power plant. We also visited Yas Island. It was indeed memorable time. It was great experience and the Island was ideal combination of beauty, comfort, ease, and technology revolution.
“We wish that caravans of socio-economic prosperity, beacon of bilateral relations and above all shinning of political commitment may be with us for the centuries to come. We congratulate the leaders and people of the UAE on the 38th National Day”.
Loading ...
Recent Comments