Page 285 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - FEBRUARY 2025 Part 1

In his keynote address, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri highlighted the region’s dynamic economies and
rapid growth potential. He noted that non-oil trade between Arab nations and Asia surpassed $10
billion in 2023, with further growth expected in the coming years. He also emphasized the UAE’s
role as a vital gateway for investment and trade with Central Asia and Azerbaijan, pointing out that
the UAE’s non-oil trade with Azerbaijan exceeded $1.5 billion in 2022, while trade with Central Asia
exceeded $3 billion.

He outlined four key areas for economic collaboration:, green energy and sustainability, particularly
in solar and wind power; technology and artificial intelligence to drive industrial innovation and
economic growth; trade facilitation and logistics through investment in advanced trade corridors
and logistics networks; and food security as a strategic domain for cooperation among regional
economies.

The conference witnessed the organization of two discussion sessions. The first session ‘Regional
Corridors and Creating Business Opportunities’ addressed the importance of regional corridors in
promoting global trade, facilitating the flow of investments across borders, addressing the
challenges facing supply chains, and the role of the multilateral trading system in providing new
opportunities for exporters, manufacturers and investors. The session was attended by Dr. Thani
bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Samir Obeid, Minister of Trade and Export Development of Tunisia, Sid
Ahmed Abouh, Minister of Economy and Finance of Mauritania, and Samad Beshirili, Deputy
Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi emphasised the pivotal role of trade corridors in boosting economic flows between
emerging and developed markets, creating new opportunities for businesses and investors.

The second session titled ‘The New Economy in the Region: Artificial Intelligence, Waste
Management and Food Security’ discussed developments in the new economy sectors in the
region, their role in enhancing the growth and sustainability of economies, how to strengthen
cooperation to create diverse paths that support encouraging countries to invest and expand in
these vital sectors, and the importance of adopting policies and strategies that contribute to the
transformation of circular economic models. This session was attended by Dr. Khaled Hanafy,
Secretary-General of the Union of Arab Chambers; Mustafa Hassan Mohamed, Minister of
Economy, Industry and Investment in the United Republic of the Comoros; and Tarek El-Sherif, Vice
President of the Arab Businessmen Union.
During the conference discussions, the Arab and Asian sides agreed during the discussions that
took place at the conference on the importance of enhancing the prospects of joint economic
relations in many vital fields and sectors, including trade, investment, energy, technology, artificial
intelligence, food security, and new challenges such as climate change.

The conference featured a roundtable meeting attended by ministers from the Arab and Asian
sides. Its aim was to strengthen economic and investment cooperation between the two regions,
discuss ways to provide an interactive platform for the private sector from both sides, and support
joint work to achieve integration between major regional economic activities.

The conference concluded with the importance of expanding and deepening mutual economic
relations between the two sides, especially by stimulating investment by companies from both

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