Shimla, Dec 10 (IANS): UAE Ambassador to India Ahmed Al Banna has appreciated the efforts of the state for organising the maiden Global Investors Summit last month to which it was the partner country, the government said on Tuesday.

In a letter to Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, the Ambassador said the summit has not only created an ideal platform for exchange of views and opportunities, but has also opened newer channels of communication.

While praising the efforts of the state for effectively organising the summit, he said, "I firmly believe that under your steering and visionary leadership, the state of Himachal Pradesh is poised to grow like never before in terms of attracting and facilitating foreign investment."

Banna expressed hope that there were synergies for cooperation between the UAE and Himachal Pradesh especially in the area of agro and food processing, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, renewable energy, hospitality, healthcare and wellness, etc.

The UAE is India's third largest trading partner with trade of $60 million after the US and China.

In addition to it, the UAE has Indian diaspora of 30 lakh Indians.