Indian President seeks UAE investments

The President of India is to push for more UAE companies’ investment in infrastructure investment and continued co-operation in the energy security of India.

In a departure statement on board the special aircraft, on her maiden visit to the UAE and Syria,  Pratibha Devisingh Patil said that the former has emerged as India’s leading trade partner with bilateral trade crossing more than $43billion.

“My visit will, I am confident, reaffirm India’s interest to strengthen ties with countries in these regions, which are a part of our extended neighbourhood.  The irritant-free relationship which we enjoy with the UAE enables us to focus on the many positives that define our relationship.”

Patel is expected to interact with the children of the Abu Dhabi Indian School and meet the students of Dubai Academic City. “I would also have the opportunity to inaugurate the new premises of the Indian Islamic Centre in Abu Dhabi.  The welfare of the overseas Indian community, particularly our workers, is always uppermost in my mind.  I am, therefore, happy that I will be inaugurating the Indian Workers’ Research Centre in Dubai,” she said.

The Indian president will also be interacting with the business community, both Indian and local, in the UAE.  “Our bilateral trade which stood at a modest figure of around $180 million in the early seventies, is today valued at $43 billion, which makes the UAE one of our leading trade partners.  While emphasising the possibilities of further expanding our trade, I will highlight the tremendous scope for investing in India’s infrastructure. Our fast growing stable economy with its strong fundamentals, makes India an attractive investment destination,” she added.

The UAE, she said is one of India’s leading suppliers of crude oil, playing an important role in the energy security of the country. “As a country whose energy requirements will increase significantly in the years to come, continued co-operation in this sector is important,” she added.