- Growing dates exports and strong remittance inflows highlight the depth of Pakistan–UAE economic partnership
Interview with Mr. Adnan Saeed, analyst
PAGE: Tell me something about yourself, please:
Adnan Saeed: I am a Certified Global Teacher by the Varkey Foundation and a lifelong teacher of Accounting and Finance. I have spent more than 25 years teaching in Pakistan’s leading institutes and helping students understand accounting in a simple and practical way. My goal has always been to make learning easy, meaningful, and useful for real life.
I am currently working as Manager Academics at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP). My work includes improving the curriculum and supporting academic planning. Before this, I taught for many years at the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan (ICMAP), where I received several Nationwide Faculty Roll of Honor awards for my teaching performance. For more than two decades, I also led the Saeed Academy of Commerce & Economics (SACE), founded by my late father, Mr. Anwer Saeed Khan. It was Pakistan’s first NGO-style commerce academy. We charged only a symbolic fee and supported many underprivileged students by helping them with books, exam fees, and guidance. This work has been the most meaningful part of my life.
I have also taught at well-known universities like SZABIST, IoBM, and Federal Urdu University. My subjects included Financial Accounting, Cost Accounting, and Public Sector Accounting. I have conducted many workshops and supported faculty training and curriculum improvement in different institutes. I have contributed to academic writing as well. I worked with international expert Mr. Mark S. Bettner on the well-known textbook Accounting: The Basis of Business Decisions. I also reviewed Kaplan’s accounting content for ICMAP and wrote a full chapter on Consignment Accounting for a graduate-level textbook by Uzair Hassan (Late).
As a content creator, I share simple and practical learning material on Medium and Instagram to help students reduce fear of accounting and build confidence. I also run a WhatsApp Channel where I share learning, motivation, and easy accounting concepts for students and young professionals. The purpose of the channel is to provide free educational support and simple daily learning for everyone. Channel link: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7gl1G9WtC5zjkeR52s
My lifelong belief is that education should not be difficult or confusing. It should give clarity, confidence, and skills that help in studies and in practical life. I want to continue serving students globally and create learning opportunities that support fairness, growth, and a better future for all.
PAGE: What is your perspective about Pakistan & UAE trade?
Adnan Saeed: Pakistan and the UAE have always enjoyed a strong and friendly trade relationship. The UAE is one of Pakistan’s biggest trading partners, and both countries depend on each other in many important areas. Pakistan mainly exports food products, textiles, fruits, vegetables, leather goods, and skilled services. The UAE exports oil, energy products, machinery, and many other items that support Pakistan’s industries. In recent years, both countries have shown interest in increasing investment and cooperation. The UAE has invested in ports, aviation, banking, real estate, and technology projects in Pakistan. This creates jobs and helps Pakistan grow. At the same time, Pakistan has a large workforce in the UAE, and their earnings support thousands of families back home and also strengthen Pakistan’s economy. There is still a lot of potential.
Pakistan can increase its exports if it focuses on quality, packaging, modern farming, and technology-based services. The UAE can also benefit by using Pakistan’s young talent, IT skills, and strong agricultural base. Overall, Pakistan and the UAE have a relationship built on trust, respect, and long-term cooperation. With better planning and new trade agreements, both countries can enjoy even stronger economic growth in the future.
PAGE: Pakistan has signed a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). How could this benefit Pakistan in its trade with the UAE?
Adnan Saeed: The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the GCC is a very positive step for Pakistan, and it can strongly improve Pakistan’s trade with the UAE. An FTA means lower taxes, easier market access, and fewer barriers for goods and services. This will help Pakistani exporters enter the UAE market with more confidence and better profit margins. For Pakistan, the UAE is already a major trading partner. With the FTA, Pakistan can increase exports of fruits, vegetables, textiles, leather products, IT services, and engineering goods. Lower duties will make Pakistani products more competitive compared to other countries. This is important because the UAE is a global trading hub, and products sold in the UAE can also reach other Gulf and Middle Eastern markets.
The FTA can also attract more UAE investment into Pakistan in areas like food processing, agriculture, logistics, renewable energy, and manufacturing. This will help create jobs and support industrial growth inside Pakistan. Another advantage is smoother movement of skilled workers and professionals. Pakistan has a young and talented workforce, and the UAE needs skilled people in many sectors. Easier labour mobility will benefit both sides.
Overall, the FTA strengthens Pakistan’s economic link with the UAE and opens doors for new opportunities, higher exports, and long-term business growth.
PAGE: Pakistan produces over half a million tonnes of dates annually. The United Arab Emirates intends to establish three date processing plants in major date-producing regions such as Sindh and Balochistan? What is your take on it?
Adnan Saeed: Pakistan is one of the largest producers of dates, especially in Sindh and Balochistan. The plan of the United Arab Emirates to set up three date processing plants in these regions is a very encouraging step. It will help both farmers and the national economy.
Right now, many farmers sell raw dates at low prices because Pakistan has limited processing and packaging facilities. When the UAE establishes modern plants, Pakistan will be able to process, clean, dry, pack, and value-add the dates locally. This will increase the price of our dates in international markets and reduce wastage. These plants will also create jobs for the local people, support small farmers, and bring modern technology to the agriculture sector. It will encourage better farming practices, better quality control, and higher export standards.
The UAE has strong experience in modern agribusiness, so Pakistan will benefit from this partnership. Most importantly, value-added dates have a much higher export price than raw dates. If Pakistan starts exporting high-quality, processed dates through these plants, it can increase foreign exchange earnings and build a stronger presence in global markets. In my view, this initiative is a win-win for both Pakistan and the UAE and can transform Pakistan’s date industry into a competitive and profitable sector.
PAGE: The UAE is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner and is home to over a million Pakistanis. What is your standpoint on remittances from the UAE?
Adnan Saeed: Remittances from the UAE play a very important role in Pakistan’s economy. More than a million Pakistanis live and work in the UAE, and they send money home to support their families, pay for education, healthcare, and small businesses. These remittances add stability to Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves and help the country manage its balance of payments. Workers in the UAE are known for being hardworking and skilled in many fields, including construction, transport, retail, hospitality, and banking. Their earnings directly improve the lives of their families and also support local markets in Pakistan.
Many families depend on this income for daily needs and long-term planning. Remittances also help Pakistan during tough economic times. When exports or investments slow down, the steady flow of remittances from the UAE acts as a strong financial support. It keeps the economy moving and reduces financial pressure.
In my view, Pakistan should work closely with the UAE to create better training programs, improve labour skills, and make legal migration easier. This will help Pakistani workers earn better wages and send more value back home. Overall, remittances from the UAE are not only a source of foreign exchange but also a lifeline for millions of households, making the UAE a true partner in Pakistan’s economic strength.