Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed on Thursday his determination to transform Pakistan's economy with the help of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Addressing a roundtable meeting of IT professionals in Abu Dhabi, the prime minister said that his visit to the UAE is not for seeking loans, but for cooperation and investment.
"We want to change our economy and I am determined to join hands with our brothers in the UAE to transform Pakistan's economy," he said.
The prime minister praised the talented IT professionals of the UAE and Pakistan, saying that they are playing a crucial role in digitizing all sectors of the economy.
Highlighting the potential of Pakistan's youth, the prime minister said that 60% of the country's population consists of young boys and girls aged 15-30 years.
"We are focusing on information technology, artificial intelligence, and improvement in various sectors of the economy," he added.
The prime minister lauded the UAE's vision to move beyond an oil-based economy, saying that it has made significant progress in industrial development, digital economy, and imports and exports.
He praised the leadership of President Muhammad bin Zayed, calling him a "dear brother" and a "great supporter" of Pakistan.
PM Shehbaz also expressed his desire to learn from the UAE's expertise and experience, saying that Pakistan wants to work together with the UAE to become a prosperous nation.
"We want to equip our youth with modern skills so that they can be employed in the UAE and start their own businesses," he said.
