UAE and EU Strengthen Trade Ties, Boost Investment Opportunities

UAE, 19 March, 2025 :  A high-level 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 to strengthen economic ties with the European Union (EU) and explore investment opportunities.

The EU is the UAE’s second-largest global trade partner, with non-oil trade reaching $67.6 billion in 2024—up 3.6% from 2023 and 18.1% from 2022. The bloc now accounts for 8.3% of the UAE’s total non-oil foreign trade.

During talks with EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maros Sefcovic, Al Zeyoudi emphasized the UAE’s trade strengths in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and e-commerce. Both sides discussed expanding investment in high-growth sectors such as logistics and renewable energy.

Al Zeyoudi highlighted the UAE’s deepening economic ties with the EU, noting growing trade exchanges and strategic collaboration in food security, energy transition, and technology. “Both sides see great potential in enhancing bilateral trade and investment flows,” he stated.

Ahmed Al Sayegh stressed the importance of strong trade relations in a challenging global economy. “The UAE and EU are committed to keeping trade open and accessible. Our meetings focused on ways to preserve the free flow of goods and services,” he said.

Al Zeyoudi also participated in a roundtable discussion at the European Policy Centre, where he showcased the UAE’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) program, which has led to 27 trade deals. He emphasized opportunities for further collaboration in key sectors, including food security, healthcare, and artificial intelligence.

In a meeting with Maria Luis Albuquerque, EU Commissioner for Financial Services, discussions focused on improving small businesses' access to global supply chains, reducing trade barriers, and enhancing cross-border payments through financial technology solutions.

The delegation also held meetings with senior Belgian officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prévot and Minister of Foreign Trade Theo Francken. Bilateral non-oil trade between the UAE and Belgium reached $4.7 billion in 2024, with both sides agreeing to enhance cooperation in energy, logistics, and manufacturing.

The UAE’s visit to Brussels underscores its commitment to strengthening economic partnerships across the EU and positioning itself as a global trade and investment leader.