Australian businesses in the UAE grew six fold and the number of Australians in the Emirates nearly four fold since the country’s diplomatic mission was opened in 2004, Australia’s Governor-General David Hurley said.
“Australia had a diplomatic presence in the UAE since 2004. Since then, until 2022, diplomatic relationship has deepened quite considerably. We have a larger footprint – diplomatically in Abu Dhabi and Dubai,” he told WAM.
Hurley said the number of Australian companies in the UAE increased from 50 in 2004 to over 300 in 2022. They growth, he said, was diversified.
Initially Australian businesses in the UAE were focused on traditional minerals and primary products such as food etc.
“We’ve now diversified into an enormous range of advanced technologies and education,” he added.
In education sector, Wollongong University opened the first Australian international university in Dubai and other universities followed the suit, he said.
The number of Australians rose from 4,000 in 2004 to around 15,000 in 2022.
“So, all that has occurred in that timeframe,” said Hurley who was sworn in as the Governor-General on 1st July 2019.
The Governor-General of Australia is representative of the UK’s Queen Elizabeth the Second. In practice, they are Australia’s Head of State and have a range of constitutional and ceremonial duties. The Governor-General is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force.
Hurley said both countries are discussing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). “A longer-term trader relationship will be beneficial to both sides. It will be a significant platform for us to build the future on.”