Gwadar, Jebel Ali ports complement international trade, Pakistan president says

Dubai - Dr. Arif Alvi said his country wants to follow the example of the UAE in attracting investments.

The Gwadar Port and Jebel Ali Port can only "complement the international trade and make each other stronger," said the President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, in an exclusive interview with the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on Sunday.

In his first official visit to the UAE as a President, Alvi met on Saturday with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. He also inaugurated the pavilion of Pakistan at Expo 2020 Dubai.

In an interview in Dubai, Dr. Alvi said his country wants to follow the example of the UAE in attracting investments.

"Gwadar Port is the closest to central Asia states ... It is an addition to the international trade, it is a different business situation, a different pipeline for goods," the President of Pakistan said. "It will complement the international trade and add to what Jebel Ali is doing, so both ports can make each other stronger."

The Gwadar Port, which has an existing capacity to handle 50,000 deadweight bulk carriers at the rate of 12.5 meter maximum depth, became fully operational in May 2021. Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port is considered the busiest in the Middle East and one of the biggest in the world.

Talking about his meeting with Sheikh Mohammed and the 50-year anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and the UAE, Dr. Alvi said, "It was a pleasure to meet His Highness, I admire and appreciate the role that Dubai plays in the world. Dubai understood it well [doing business], it has limited resources, but it invited the resources of the whole world to it.

"He gave me his book (My Story), which is in Urdu, and I will definitely read it because I’m interested in his biography of how he led change. Leadership is about taking right decisions, taking people and decision makers alongside you and then you take your country to new heights. That is a unique Dubai and UAE experience, and that is what we want to do in Pakistan as well.

"The relationship with the UAE has improved tremendously over the years, do you know why? Because of mutual trade, the Pakistani diaspora working here, and for the fact that we always want to build new bridges. The foundation is strong; it is based on brotherhood and a common religion, and as the world is looking for peace in this region, the UAE and Pakistan have always sought peace."

"There are three things that we are doing with the help of the UAE: improving education, taking care of the health of women and neonates and women empowerment and inclusion into the digital economy," he continued.