Page 197 - MOET ENGLISH PR REPORT - OCTOBER 2025 (Part 1)

11/3/25, 4:19 PM Latest News
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
The meeting featured six panel sessions with extensive participation from the Ministry of Economy and
Tourism, the OECD, and specialised experts in the fields of economy, entrepreneurship, agriculture,

technology, innovation and logistics.
The first panel, “Connecting Physical and Digital Infrastructures”, discussed the significance of

interconnected infrastructure networks in enhancing regional economic integration, including transport,
energy and digital connectivity, and their pivotal role in lowering trade costs, improving logistics performance

and supporting knowledge exchange. It further highlighted the position of the UAE and Saudi Arabia as
global logistics and investment hubs.

The second panel, titled “Connecting Markets: Trade, Investment and Regulatory Convergence”, highlighted
how infrastructure can be transformed into a competitive edge. This requires linking markets across borders,
including attracting investment into local value chains, reducing barriers in trade and customs, and

harmonising regulations that create conditions for free zones and logistics to drive economic growth.
The third panel, “Connecting People and Ideas: Cross Border Innovation Ecosystems”, focused on the role of

governments in reducing barriers to mobility and fostering regional innovation platforms that contribute to

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