According to WAM, Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, the Minister of State for Foreign Trade, engaged in discussions with Hendrik Josef Wüst, the Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. During their meeting, both parties expressed a commitment to enhance trade ties and collaborate in critical sectors, including technology, advanced manufacturing, and the green economy.

Following their talks, a business roundtable took place, connecting leading figures from the private sector in the region with their UAE counterparts. This event aimed to identify areas of mutual benefit and explore potential partnership opportunities.

North Rhine-Westphalia is recognized as Germany’s economic powerhouse, hosting 37 of the nation’s top 100 corporations. The region’s gross domestic product (GDP) reached US$990 billion in 2024, accounting for 20% of Germany’s total economic output. Historically known for its industrial strength, North Rhine-Westphalia is shifting its economic focus towards digital technologies, artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing, and the green economy, including research initiatives in water management and agri-tech solutions.

The synergies between North Rhine-Westphalia and the United Arab Emirates are increasingly evident, particularly through Emirati investments in the ammonia value chain and the development of hydrogen as a renewable energy source.

Dr. Thani said that the meeting with HE Wüst showcased these complementarities and established a roadmap for enhanced collaboration in vital sectors. He stated, “The United Arab Emirates has long enjoyed a positive and productive relationship with Germany, and North Rhine-Westphalia, with its industrial heritage and forward-looking vision, has been central to it.” He highlighted the numerous avenues for cooperation and investment, referencing the UAE’s free-trade network that facilitates the seamless flow of industrial output to key markets in Asia and Africa.

In 2024, the United Arab Emirates and Germany, the world’s third-largest economy, recorded non-oil trade worth US$13.8 billion, representing a 5.4% increase from 2023. Additionally, the UAE has made investments exceeding US$1.2 billion in projects throughout Germany. The UAE recently announced plans to initiate negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union, of which Germany is the largest economy.