Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, recently engaged in discussions with Hendrik Josef Wüst, Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Both parties agreed to strengthen trade relations and collaborate in key areas including technology, advanced manufacturing, and the green economy.
The talks were followed by a business roundtable, bringing together leading private sector representatives from North Rhine-Westphalia and the UAE to identify areas of shared interest and explore partnership opportunities.
North Rhine-Westphalia stands as Germany’s principal economic hub. Hosting 37 of the nation’s top 100 companies, the region’s GDP reached US$990 billion in 2024, accounting for 20% of Germany’s overall economic output. While historically recognised as Germany’s industrial centre, the region is now increasingly focused on digital technologies, artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing, and the green economy, with research initiatives underway in water management and agri-tech innovation.
There are strong synergies between North Rhine-Westphalia and the United Arab Emirates, demonstrated by the growing cooperation between the two. This includes Emirati investments in North Rhine-Westphalia’s ammonia value chain and the advancement of hydrogen as a renewable energy source.
Dr Thani noted that the meeting with HE Wüst underscored these shared interests and laid out a pathway for deeper collaboration in crucial sectors: “The United Arab Emirates has enjoyed a longstanding, fruitful relationship with Germany, with North Rhine-Westphalia playing a central role thanks to its industrial legacy and progressive vision. Across the digital economy, energy transition, and the green economy, we see numerous opportunities for cooperation and investment. Our free-trade network also provides a route for North Rhine-Westphalia’s industrial goods to access key Asian and African markets seamlessly. The UAE continues to offer an open, welcoming environment for North Rhine-Westphalian businesses wishing to expand into the Middle East and contribute to our industrial and innovation ecosystems. Today’s discussions with HE Wüst and the subsequent roundtable have laid the groundwork for new partnerships, and we remain committed to supporting bilateral trade and investment in the future.”
In 2024, non-oil trade between the United Arab Emirates and Germany — the world’s third-largest economy — totalled US$13.8 billion, marking a 5.4% increase from 2023. The UAE also has more than US$1.2 billion invested in projects throughout Germany. Recently, the UAE announced plans to commence negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union, where Germany stands as the largest single economy.
