Page 192 - MOET ENGLISH PR REPORT - OCTOBER 2025 (Part 1)

11/3/25, 4:19 PM UAE hosts MENA-OECD Business Advisory Board meeting - Middle East Business News and Information - mid-east.info
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

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