Pakistan’s trade with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) exceeded $10.9 billion during the fiscal year 2023–24, highlighting the robust economic partnership between the two nations, according to Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, Faisal Tirmizi.
The two countries have steadily deepened their economic ties in recent months. In January 2024, Pakistan and the UAE signed agreements exceeding $3 billion, covering collaboration in railway development, special economic zones, and critical infrastructure projects.
The UAE remains Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner—after China and the United States—and a key source of foreign investment. Over the past two decades, Emirati investments in Pakistan have crossed the $10 billion mark, according to data from the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Speaking to UAE state news agency WAM, Ambassador Tirmizi detailed the breakdown of the $10.9 billion trade volume, which includes both goods and services. He reported that remittances from the Pakistani expatriate community in the UAE totaled $6.7 billion in 2024 and are expected to surpass $7 billion in 2025.
In terms of goods trade, the total reached $8.41 billion in FY 2023–24. Pakistan’s exports to the UAE surged by 41.06% to $2.08 billion, while imports from the UAE declined by 14.45% to $6.33 billion. This shift led to a 28.28% reduction in the trade deficit—a notable improvement in bilateral trade balance.
In the services sector, trade rose to $2.56 billion, reflecting a 20.54% year-on-year increase. Between July 2024 and January 2025, goods trade continued to grow by 21.63%, with a 7.53% rise in Pakistani exports, indicating sustained economic momentum.
“These figures not only reflect the strength of our bilateral trade but also underscore the vital role of the Pakistani diaspora in supporting Pakistan’s economy,” Tirmizi noted.
The ambassador also shared that 19 Emirati companies are currently operating in Pakistan, with the UAE investing heavily across key sectors such as communications, IT, tourism, oil and gas, banking, real estate, housing, and services.
Among the notable developments, major UAE firms like Abu Dhabi Ports and DP World have entered agreements to enhance Pakistan’s port infrastructure, including projects linked to the Karachi Port Trust and supporting railway connectivity.
“These investments highlight the UAE’s deep-rooted commitment to Pakistan’s long-term economic growth and regional connectivity,” Tirmizi added.