UAE interested in education, health sectors

ISLAMABAD: The United Arab Emirates has shown interest in investing in Pakistan’s education and health sectors.

During a meeting with Pakistan’s Investment Minister Waqar Ahmad Khan in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, UAE Education Minister Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahyan said the successful experience of investment in the telecom sector had encouraged the UAE to consider more investments in Pakistan.

The UAE is the third largest investor in Pakistan after the United States and Britain.

Mr Waqar said his government would facilitate all investors who wanted to invest in Pakistan.

‘Pakistan is a safe and secured country and it is open to all foreign investors who intend to invest in the country.’

He said the UAE had already successfully invested in various sectors in Pakistan, including telecommunication, real estate and infrastructure.

The two ministers discussed bilateral relations. Mr Nahyan said the people of the two countries shared Islamic values and were linked by mutual economic and trade relationship.

APP adds: Talking to a group of over 80 journalists from 46 countries, including Pakistan, who were invited to Abu Dhabi to witness Emirates’ pace of development, Mr Nahyan said the UAE wanted to invest in Pakistan’s energy, infrastructure, industry, health, education and agriculture sectors.

‘Pakistan is a wonderful place for investment and provides ample opportunities in diverse fields,’ said Mr Nahyan, who is also chairman of Abu Dhabi Group —one of the largest foreign investors in Pakistan.

The group’s investments include Bank Alfalah, Warid Telecom, Wateen Telecom and United Bank Limited.

He said the UAE would further expand its portfolio in Pakistan for mutual benefit of the two countries.

Recent economic measures in Pakistan were taking roots and were a source of strength for investors in the UAE, he said, adding: ‘I hope Pakistan will soon be able to overcome its problems and emerge stronger and better.’

Mr Nahyan, who strongly advocated Pakistan’s case at the Tokyo meeting of the Friends of Pakistan group, said his company would continue to invest in Pakistan. He said it was vital for the Muslim world to focus on science and technology.

Tags: Investment Minister,Waqar Ahmad Khan,UAE,health sector