ISLAMABAD, JAN 19, SPA -- Bilateral, regional and international matters with special focus on investment, trade, defence and security fields were discussed between Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces, says an official statement. Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al-Nayhan said UAE was greatly impressed by the economic strides made by Pakistan. He said UAE would continue to encourage its private sector to enter into joint ventures with their counterparts in Pakistan, as it is a win-win for all. The Crown Prince said that UAE has a special and historic relationship with Pakistan. He said that he has no doubt that UAE businessmen will continue to invest in Pakistan. Investment, he said, comes only to a place where it is considered safe and the people of UAE and its investors have great faith in Pakistan. Pakistan can always count on UAE just as UAE counts on Pakistan, he added. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan values the close and multifaceted relations with the UAE, which are, rooted in common faith and shared heritage, values and culture. Aziz welcomed the fact that the UAE has emerged as the largest single investor in Pakistan, which is reflective of the close relationship between the two countries. The Prime Minister said Pakistan greatly appreciates the interest taken by the UAE's private sector in Pakistan's telecom, banking and infrastructure projects which can be expanded to petrochemicals, real estate, agri business and tourism. Pakistan, he said, is fast becoming a regional hub for investment and attracted $3.2 billion Foreign Direct Investment last year the largest in the country's history, which is expected to increase significantly this year. Aziz said that in the last seven years the size of Pakistan s economy and its per capita income have doubled. He said that as a result of its strong economic fundamentals and the size and quality of its manpower, Pakistan has been included in the Next-11 by the Goldman Sachs International. The World Bank and the International Finance Corporation have also ranked Pakistan as the top reformer in South Asia and tenth in the world. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan and its people take great pride in the achievements and successes gained by the UAE, which have raised the stature and improved the image of the Ummah in the world.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/419148