Abu Dhabi, UAE – A UAE delegation led by Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, visited Belgium, aiming to strengthen economic ties and promoting investment opportunities with Brussels and the wider European Union (EU).
The delegation discussed growing trade relations with Vladis Dombrovskis, European Commissioner of Trade.
They also shared updates on preparations for the World Trade Organization’s 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) to be held in Abu Dhabi in 2024, WAM reported.
Al Zeyoudi also explored joint economic cooperation in priority sectors with Pierre-Yves Dermagne, Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Employment, and Hadja Lahbib, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium.
He noted that the visit marks an important continuation of longstanding trade relations with the EU.
Non-oil bilateral trade between the UAE and EU amounted to $56 billion in 2022, achieving a growth of 9.3 percent compared to the same period in 2021.
Non-oil trade value grew by 28.6 percent and 14.7 percent over the same period in 2020 and 2019, respectively, said reports.
Additionally, the UAE is Belgium’s leading trade partner in the Middle East, accounting for 21 percent of Belgium trade with Arab countries in 2022.
