India is all set to boost its multi-faceted ties with the Gulf region when President Pratibha Devisingh Patil visits the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Syria.To further strengthen India's economic ties with the Gulf region and to promote trade, tourism and investment, Mrs.Patil on Sunday leaves for UAE. In the second leg of her journey, she will visit Syria.AIR correspondent accompanying the President takes a look at the importance of these visits.India has had social and mercantile contacts with the Gulf and West Asian region since times immemorial. People-to-people contacts and barter trade have existed for centuries. India-UAE relations have flourished after the creation of the UAE Federation in 1971.UAE is a significant trading an energy security partner. Indo-UAE trade, valued at 180 million US dollars per annum in the 1970s, was valued at 43.4 billion dollars in 2009-2010.UAE emerged as the top destination for India's export with 13.41 percent share of total export in year 2009-10.UAE also ranks among the top five suppliers of crude oil to India.Significantly, this will be the first Presidential visit to Syria from India. India and Syria have ancient historical linkages dating back several millennia.President Patil's visit to Syria will provide the opportunity to carry forward our dialogue and engagement with the Syrian President and the leadership of Syria in all areas.Discussions on bilateral issues – political, economic and cultural are expected to take place during President Patil's visit.Both sides will also explore investment opportunities in each other's country.On the regional and international front, Middle East Peace Process (MEPP) and Syria's relations with its neighbours will be important segment of President's discussions.