Waheed Ahmad (Former Ambassador): It is indeed a positive development that Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates have signed an agreement to further strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors. Although both the countries enjoy cordial friendly relations, yet it is heartening to note that both the countries hold joint ministerial commission meetings regularly to foster cooperation in economic and other sectors. Such meetings are always fruitful in exchanging views on strengthening bilateral relations as well as to take a review of progress on ongoing projects. I think that both the countries are trying to find out new avenues for cooperation in private and public sectors. In this regard they want private sector to come closer in the form of joint ventures so they are trying to offer more and facilitation in this regard.