Page 776 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - OCTOBER 2024

10/15/24, 9:50 AM Thani Al Zeyoudi highlights role of intra-regional collaboration at Asia Cooperation Dialogue Business Forum in Doha
The event convened delegations from across the continent to deepen regional

collaboration on trade, economic growth and infrastructure development as well as

to coordinate action on pressing global challenges such as food security and climate

mitigation efforts.

In his address at the summit, Al Zeyoudi emphasised the UAE's commitment to

enhancing trade ties with Asia, which is central to the UAE's non-oil foreign trade

objectives, confirming that the continent accounts for 59 percent of the UAE's total

global trade, and receives 72.7 percent of its exports.

He also noted the upward trajectory of those numbers, with non-oil trade between

the UAE and the rest of Asia totaling US$224 billion in the first half of 2024, an

increase of 31 percent in the last two years.

Al Zeyoudi also underscored the strategic importance of the UAE's Comprehensive

Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) programme in boosting trade flows with

the region. Of the 13 CEPAs the UAE has successfully concluded since May 2022,

8 are with nations in Asia or the Asia-Pacific region.

Al Zeyoudi stated, "In an increasingly complex global economy, the importance of
collaboration with your closest neighbours will only grow. This is particularly true

with Asia, where more than 60 percent of the goods made within the continent stay
within the continent. For the UAE's global trade strategy, Asia represents secure,

reliable supply chains and mature, high-growth markets that will provide a range of
opportunities for our private sector. These include outstanding prospects for

investment as we seek partnerships in manufacturing, agriculture and energy, and
support our respective economic growth and development objectives. This week's

forum will play an important role in advancing all of these objectives."

During the forum, Al Zeyoudi held productive bilateral meetings with key officials

from several Asian nations. These included talks with Arju Rana Deuba, Minister of

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