The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has expressed reservations regarding the lack of response from United Arab Emirates (UAE) focal persons to a company interested in renewable energy (RE) projects in Pakistan.
In a letter addressed to relevant ministries, SIFC enclosed a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), based on communication from Pakistan’s ambassador to the UAE, highlighting the issue.
According to sources, the Foreign Office’s ambassador in Abu Dhabi held a meeting with the Abu Dhabi Development Holding Company (ADQ) focal person to discuss updates on seven bilateral investment Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed with the UAE in November 2023.
ADQ mentioned that they had initiated informal contacts with all relevant ministries’ focal persons and had sent emails about a month ago to establish formal communication channels. However, despite reminders, responses from the focal persons are still awaited. ADQ is also awaiting Pakistan’s list of priorities and bankable projects.
Following MoFA’s suggestions, SIFC has urged all focal persons to establish formal communication channels with proper record-keeping mechanisms. Additionally, they emphasized the importance of promptly responding to emails, considering email as a formal communication channel while treating WhatsApp as informal.
SIFC has instructed focal persons to ensure compliance with these guidelines and provide monthly updates on communications and progress made on MoUs to the secretariat regularly.
Story by Mushtaq Ghumman
