Page 188 - MOET ENGLISH PR REPORT - OCTOBER 2025 (Part 1)

11/3/25, 4:18 PM UAE hosts MENA-OECD Business Advisory Board meeting
Successful institutional cooperation with OECD

H.E. Bin Touq stated: “The collaboration between the UAE and OECD serves as a model for effective
institutional partnership. This collaboration has given rise to a series of joint projects and initiatives
aimed at promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth. We look forward to further

strengthening cooperation with the OECD and our regional partners to help build an integrated, leading
economic ecosystem that fosters growth and fair competitiveness based on innovation and
sustainability.”

H.E. highlighted that the MENA region is experiencing accelerated growth across several key economic

and tourism sectors. Inbound tourism to the region increased by 32 per cent compared with the pre-2019
levels, while the growth in the industrial sector is driven by major projects and technology partnerships,
strengthening the new and circular economy sectors. In the field of entrepreneurship, regional business
incubators serve as strong support platforms for various categories, empowering women and youth in
this vital field.

Developing practical solutions that support priority sectors

Her Excellency Dr. Maria Alqassim explained that the meeting contributes to reinforcing the public-
private dialogue and cooperation and forms a key component of the UAE-OECD partnership under the
MENA-OECD Competitiveness Programme. H.E. described BAB as a reliable platform enabling the

private sector and government-policymakers to engage and develop practical solutions, focusing on
tourism, SMEs and entrepreneurship, and agribusiness. “We aim to adopt tangible measures to
enhance value chains, launch investments, and build more diversified, competitive and future-ready
economies,” she said.

Mr. Carlos Conde, Head of Middle East and Africa Division, Global Relations and Cooperation

Directorate, OECD, said, “Today’s Board meeting in Dubai marks a significant milestone in the
cooperation between the OECD and the UAE, building on the country’s tangible progress in developing
a resilient and innovative economic environment driven by partnership and integration across various
sectors. This meeting also forms part of the MENA-OECD Competitiveness Programme. The BAB

contributes to shaping a better business environment, empowering competitiveness policies and
building more efficient, resilient and transparent economic models across the MENA region.”

Marta Blanco, President of the International Relations Committee of the Spanish Confederation of
Business Organisation (CEOE) and BAB Co-Chair, said: “The meeting provides a valuable opportunity
to strengthen economic cooperation between MENA countries and the OECD. It also reinforces the

private sector's role as a key partner in crafting policies that support sustainable growth through dialogue
between governments and business communities, exploring shared priorities and designing practical
initiatives aligned with global transformations in innovation, trade, and investment.”

Discussion sessions with extensive global and regional participation

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