ISLAMABAD   - The 11th Joint Ministerial Commission meeting of Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) concluded Thursday with the agreement that the two brotherly countries will strive to enhance economic cooperation.
Later, Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz told a press conference also addressed by UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan that the two sides have agreed to establish Joint Trade Council to promote trade between the two countries.
He said the UAE Foreign Minister has come with a big trade delegation, which is reflective of the brotherly country’s commitment to strengthen and expand economic relations with Pakistan. He said the two sides have agreed to translate the immense goodwill that exists between the leadership of the two countries to translate into greater economic cooperation. The Advisor expressed satisfaction that bilateral trade between the two countries has crossed $10 billion and the UAE has become the largest trading partner of Pakistan. To a question‚ the Advisor said the Joint Business Council will have its first session in the first quarter of the next year.
Meanwhile, President Mamnoon Hussain Thursday emphasized the need for translating the existing close and cordial relationship between Pakistan and UAE into a strong trade and economic partnership to the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries.  The President expressed his satisfaction that the two-way trade between the two countries has increased progressively and said that Pakistan was keen to further strengthen and diversify bilateral cooperation in all the fields particularly trade and commerce.
The President said this in his meeting with Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Thursday.
The Foreign Minister was accompanied by Ambassador of UAE to Pakistan, Essa Abdullah Al Basha Al Noaimi, and senior officials of UAE embassy in Pakistan.
Discussing the Pak-UAE bilateral relations, the President said that deep-rooted close and fraternal relations between the two countries are bounded by common faith and cultural affinities. He expressed the confidence that the visit of the foreign minister would provide a new impetus and a good opportunity to further strengthen our bilateral ties especially trade and economic ties. The President said that the presence of large no of Pakistani community in UAE was a manifestation of the strong bonds that exist between the two countries.
He said that early conclusion of Pakistan’s a free trade agreement with the GCC will further boost Pakistan- UAE bilateral trade on one hand and would pave the way for increased commercial activity between Pakistan and the Gulf countries on the other. The President appreciated UAE’s support to Pakistan’s efforts in conclusion of FTA with the GCC.
The President on the occasion also conveyed his best wishes to UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.