UAE, Georgia to Double Trade to $1.5 Billion Annually

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Georgia's President virtually attend the signing of the comprehensive partnership between both countries. (WAM)
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Georgia's President virtually attend the signing of the comprehensive partnership between both countries. (WAM)
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UAE, Georgia to Double Trade to $1.5 Billion Annually

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Georgia's President virtually attend the signing of the comprehensive partnership between both countries. (WAM)
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Georgia's President virtually attend the signing of the comprehensive partnership between both countries. (WAM)

The UAE and Georgia have signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, with the aim of trebling non-oil trade from $481 million to $1.5 billion within five years.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said: “The Partnership Agreement with Georgia reflects our consistent approach to stimulating economic growth and trade and investment exchange with friendly countries, in a way that contributes to reviving international trade and helping the global economy face current challenges.”

“In the UAE, we have a firm belief that constructive international cooperation and sustainable economic growth are capable of achieving stability and peace and enhancing the quality of people’s lives,” he added.

The agreement was signed during a virtual ceremony by Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Georgian Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Levan Davitashvili.

“It is our key priority to strengthen relations with one of the leading states of the world – the United Arab Emirates,” said Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili.

“The UAE has always been at the avant-garde of innovations and progress, which is a significant precondition of future hope and optimism. We are confident that this new stage in the relationship of our two countries made for the benefit of our people will facilitate the intensification and simplification of trade and economic relations.”

The comprehensive partnership agreement with Georgia is the sixth for the UAE as part of its plans to double non-oil trade to AED4 trillion ($1.08 trillion) and Emirati exports to AED800 billion ($217.7 billion) by 2031.

Al Zeyoudi said: “The UAE-Georgia CEPA unites two countries that have complementary strengths – both nations are strategic crossroads for trade, both possess dynamic, rapidly-expanding service economies and both share a similar vision for attracting FDI – with policies that welcome business and promote robust growth.”



Riyadh Hosts Saudi-Egyptian Industrial Forum

Officials are seen at the forum on Monday. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the forum on Monday. (SPA)
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Riyadh Hosts Saudi-Egyptian Industrial Forum

Officials are seen at the forum on Monday. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the forum on Monday. (SPA)

The Saudi-Egyptian Industrial Forum kicked off in Riyadh on Monday under the patronage of Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef. The forum aims to bolster strategic industrial cooperation and integration between the two countries.

Organized by the Federation of Saudi Chambers of Commerce in collaboration with the Federation of Egyptian Industries, the forum witnessed the participation of Deputy Minister for Industrial Affairs Eng. Khalil bin Salamah, Saudi Export Development Authority CEO Abdulrahman Althukair, and 300 prominent Saudi and Egyptian industry leaders and investors.

Bin Salamah underscored the significance of strengthening economic cooperation and industrial integration between Saudi Arabia and Egypt. He advocated for enhanced industrial partnerships within five priority sectors identified in the Kingdom's National Industrial Strategy: pharmaceuticals, automotive, building materials, textiles, and food industries.

He highlighted the evolving strategic integration between the two countries across initiatives like "Saudi Made,Future Factories," and "Made in Egypt," as well as in the broader goods and services sector. Bin Salamah urged Egyptian industrialists to capitalize on the industrial investment opportunities available in the Kingdom, citing its ambitious plans to establish 24,000 new factories over the next decade.

Federation of Saudi Chambers of Commerce Chairman Hassan Alhwaizy hailed the forum as a crucial milestone in Saudi-Egyptian industrial collaboration, emphasizing the strategic partnership underpinning their economic relations, particularly in the industrial sector.

Federation of Egyptian Industries Chairman Mohamed El-Sewedy stated that current global challenges are accelerating the need for industrial integration between the two countries, strengthening their partnership to tap into the African market's potential.

Saudi-Egyptian Business Council Chairman Bandar Al-Ameri highlighted the substantial growth in trade exchange between Saudi Arabia and Egypt in recent years, fueled by developing economic partnerships between their respective business communities. He emphasized that signing the agreement to protect and encourage mutual investments represents a strategic achievement serving their shared interests.