Page 553 - MOET ENGLISH PR REPORT - JULY 2025

7/10/25, 3:51 PM UAE and Cuba hold first session of their Joint Economic Committee
Both sides agreed to promote and facilitate increased trade flows, while actively exploring joint
investment opportunities in biotechnology, healthcare, renewable energy, tourism, and agriculture
The session underscored the importance of building new partnerships in the entrepreneurship and
start-up ecosystem, with the goal of accelerating SME growth in both countries and enabling their

expansion into global markets
A shared commitment was expressed from both sides to strengthen collaboration in food security
and agriculture, while supporting efforts for sustainable farming, food processing, and the adoption

of advanced agri-tech solutions

Abu Dhabi – The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign
Investment of the Republic of Cuba convened the first session of the Joint Economic Committee in
Dubai. The meeting aimed to deepen bilateral economic cooperation across a wide range of sectors of
mutual interest, including trade, investment, energy, renewable energy, agriculture, food security,

infrastructure, transport, logistics, creative and cultural industries, healthcare, tourism, biotechnology,
and pharmaceuticals. The session also underscored the importance of fostering robust public-private
sector trade partnerships to drive sustainable growth for both nations.

The Committee was co-chaired by H.E. Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of

Economy and Tourism, and H.E. Carlos Luis Jorge Méndez, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and
Investment of Cuba. The Committee is a key outcome of the trade, economic, and technical cooperation
agreement signed between the two countries. The session was attended by H.E. Hazza Ahmed Al
Kaabi, UAE Ambassador to Cuba; H.E. Norberto Escalona Carrillo, Cuban Ambassador to the UAE;
along with senior government representatives from both nations.

H.E. Abdullah Al Saleh highlighted that UAE-Cuban bilateral relations continue to progress steadily,
particularly in the economic and commercial domains, in line with the leadership’s forward-looking vision
to promote mutual prosperity, growth and long-term strategic partnership.

H.E. Abdullah Al Saleh, said: “The convening of the first session of the Joint Economic Committee

between the two nations marks a pivotal step in advancing economic and investment relations between
the UAE and Cuba. It paves the way for broader cooperation across priority sectors, deeper
engagement between the two countries’ business communities, and unlocking promising opportunities
in both markets, all supporting the UAE’s strategic goals under the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision.”

During the meeting, both sides agreed to establish a joint working framework to oversee the

implementation of committee outcomes that guide future cooperation between the two nations in the
coming period, propelling it towards further growth and prosperity. They also committed to organising
joint business forums and economic events, facilitating trade delegation exchanges, and identifying new
avenues to expand bilateral commercial relation.

Promoting investment opportunities in both markets

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