The UAE and EU are seeking to strengthen diplomatic and economic relations, enhancing their $67.6bn trade partnership.
A UAE delegation led by Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Ahmed Al Sayegh, Minister of State, visited Brussels, Belgium, to engage with senior EU officials and Belgian government members. The talks aimed to enhance economic ties, promote investment opportunities, and explore areas for cooperation.
The EU, the UAE’s second-largest global trade partner, recorded $67.6bn in non-oil trade in 2024, marking a 3.6% rise from 2023 and an 18.1% increase compared to 2022. The EU now represents 8.3% of the UAE’s total non-oil foreign trade.
During discussions with Maros Sefcovic, EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Al Zeyoudi highlighted the UAE’s strong trade relations with the EU, particularly in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and e-commerce. They also explored investment opportunities in logistics and renewable energy.
Al Zeyoudi emphasised the UAE-EU partnership, highlighting its growth across various sectors. He noted the potential for enhancing trade and investment at both EU-wide and individual member state levels. Al Sayegh stressed the importance of collaboration to ensure open trade and economic resilience.
Additionally, Al Zeyoudi attended a roundtable discussion at the European Policy Centre (EPC) with Chief Executive Fabian Zuleeg, focusing on preserving rules-based trade. He highlighted the UAE’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) programme, which includes 27 agreements, and discussed collaboration in areas such as food security and artificial intelligence.
Al Sayegh and Al Zeyoudi also met Maria Luis Albuquerque, EU Commissioner for Financial Services, to discuss improving trade access for small businesses and enhancing cross-border payments through blockchain and decentralised finance.
Their visit, including meetings with Belgian officials, reflects the UAE’s commitment to strengthening its position as a global trade and investment leader.
