Page 355 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - JULY 2024

According to him, the collaboration extends to future technologies, with both countries
committing to joint ventures in digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence. As India and the
UAE build on their strong historical ties, CEPA represents a strategic step towards a more
integrated and prosperous future for both nations.

Following are excerpts from an exclusive interaction with Abdulla Bin Touq, Minister of
the Economy of the United Arab Emirates:
There are talks about the expansion of CEPA – when will that happen and what more will
be achieved?

The primary focus now is to ensure that our private sectors are maximizing the full scope of the
deal, especially in the sectors where tariffs are being reduced over time. We are still at the
beginning of our journey so it’s important to ensure that the business communities in both
countries are able to understand and leverage the opportunity in front of them. Both sides
believe there is huge potential for UAE-India trade and investment that is yet to be fully realized.

Can you share any success stories or case studies of UAE-India collaboration in future
technologies?

The UAE-India economic partnership is founded on strong historical ties between our two
countries, reinforced by a shared vision to leverage technology and other future sectors for
driving economic growth and societal development.

Following the signing of several strategic agreements between the UAE and India in January
2024 in sectors including renewable energy, food processing and healthcare, yet another MoU
was signed by the two countries setting out a framework for the expansion of bilateral
investment cooperation in the digital infrastructure sector. It marks a significant step forward in
the development of opportunities in digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence between both
nations. Moreover, it will promote and facilitate investments in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI),
artificial intelligence and aspects related to R&D and innovation.

People to People: how easy is it for people to get visas to UAE? Any plans for increasing
the flights between the two countries? Are you in talks with the government?

The UAE revamped its visa and residency systems by introducing more flexible visa
programmes with an aim to enhance the flow of talent and tourism into the country. For
example, the Golden visa is a long-term residence visa which enables foreign talents to live,
work or study in the UAE while enjoying exclusive benefits.

Apart from the standard work visa, a newly introduced green visa now allows its holders to
sponsor themselves for 5 years, eliminating the need for a UAE national or employer to sponsor
the visa.

In addition, there is a virtual work visa for individuals who are employed by companies based
outside of the UAE but wish to live and work remotely from the country. More recently, the UAE
announced a new long-term residency visa known as the blue visa, which grants a 10-year
residency to people who have made exceptional contributions towards protecting the nation’s
environment. Tourists now have the option to apply for multiple entry visas.

The number of Indians in the UAE is projected to reach 3.3 million this year, increasing at a rate
of 10.7 percent annually, that is an increase of 300,000 Indians annually.

https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence/exclusive-india-uae-partnership-cepa-
strategic-step-towards-more-integrated-future/3565356/