Prime Miniter Shehbaz Sharif departed for a one-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday, his first since coming to power after the February 8 polls.

The premier is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising key ministers of the cabinet including Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, Minister for Defense Khawaja Asif, Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, and a special assistant Tariq Fatemi.

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During the visit, the premier is expected to meet the President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss bilateral relations, with a special focus on trade and investment.

Shehbaz is also expected to convene meetings with other prominent Emirati dignitaries, business leaders, and heads of financial institutions, said the statement from Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

The government is eyeing billions of dollars investment from Gulf countries particularly from Saudi Arabia and UAE to shore up the country’s foreign reserves and spur industrial growth.

The civil-military led Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) was established during the first term of Shehbaz government. The council is meant to offer one window operation to foreign investors.

The SIFC has since then identified several potential areas for Saudi and UAE investors. The government is offering lucrative returns to Arab investors in the fields of agriculture, mines and minerals, energy and other sectors.