PM Shehbaz seeks joint collaboration with UAE

ABU DHABI (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared on Thursday that he has broken the “begging bowl” mentality, emphasizing that nations achieve prosperity through sacrifice, hard work, and innovation, not aid or handouts.

Addressing a roundtable conference on “Innovate Together: UAE-Pakistan Tech Collaboration,” he said, “I won’t seek loans or aid; instead, I’ll pursue joint collaborations and investments for mutual benefits.”

The conference, organized by Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi, brought together UAE-based IT companies and Pakistani IT experts. The prime minister announced that his government will provide high-standard vocational training to Pakistani workers, enabling them to establish offices in the UAE and provide remote services.

He praised the UAE president’s vision for leading in IT, artificial intelligence, and modern information infrastructure, making the country a hub for imports and exports. He also acknowledged the contributions of Pakistani IT professionals in digitizing the UAE economy, urging them to replicate this success in Pakistan.

Also read: PM Sharif received by His Excellency Sheikh Al Nahyan in UAE

The prime minister highlighted his government’s focus on promoting IT and AI in various sectors, including agriculture, mines, and minerals, skills, and youth empowerment. He expressed his commitment to transforming Pakistan’s economy through collaboration with the UAE, whether through joint ventures, knowledge-sharing, or innovation.

He also recognized the efforts of the 1.5 million Pakistani diaspora in the UAE, encouraging them to learn from the Emirates’ expertise and replicate it for Pakistan’s progress. The prime minister emphasized the strong institutional and people-to-people linkages between the two countries, sharing a collective ambition to embrace innovation and progress.

During the event, three MOUs were signed between Pakistani and UAE IT companies to implement digital transformation. The prime minister engaged in an interactive discussion with participants, responding to comments and suggestions, and inviting investors to visit Pakistan. The event concluded with the distribution of mementos to UAE-based clients of Pakistani IT companies, recognizing their contribution to strengthening business-to-business cooperation.