A delegation from the UAE, led by His Excellency (H.E.) Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and His Excellency (H.E.) Ahmed Bin Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, visited Brussels, Belgium, on 19th March 2025, for discussions with senior European Union officials and Belgian government representatives. The aim of the visit was to enhance economic relations, explore investment opportunities, and identify potential areas for deeper cooperation.
The European Union is the UAE’s second-largest global trading partner, with non-oil trade totaling $67.6 billion in 2024. This marks a 3.6% increase compared to 2023 and an 18.1% rise over 2022. The EU now represents 8.3% of the UAE’s overall non-oil foreign trade.
During discussions with Maros Sefcovic, the EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, H.E. Dr. Al Zeyoudi emphasized the key factors behind the UAE’s robust trade relations with the EU, especially in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and e-commerce. The two sides also explored opportunities to boost investment in high-growth sectors such as logistics and renewable energy.
Taking the deliberation forward, H.E. Dr. Al Zeyoudi highlighted the strong economic and business ties between the UAE and the EU, stating, “The European Union is a highly valued trade and investment partner for the UAE, with ties that continue to deepen across a range of sectors. This is evidenced not only by increasing trade exchanges but also through strategic collaboration in areas such as food security, energy transition and advanced technology. Both sides believe there is significant potential to maintain the positive trajectory of bilateral trade and investment flows – both on an EU-wide level and with individual member nations. This week’s meetings have underlined the benefits of doing so.”
H.E. Ahmed Bin Ali Al Sayegh articulated that closer ties are necessary to navigate the prospects of global economy. He said, “The UAE has long recognised the importance of constructive dialogue, particularly on matters of trade and global supply chains. Both the UAE and the EU are committed to ensuring that trade remains open and accessible and this week’s meetings have enabled us to identify areas of collaboration that can preserve the free flow of goods and services between our economies. We look forward to building on these foundations and ensuring we can deliver prosperity for both our peoples.”
H.E. Dr. Al Zeyoudi also took part in a roundtable at the European Policy Centre (EPC), discussing UAE trade policy with Fabian Zuleeg, Chief Executive and Chief Economist of the EPC. The conversation cantered on the importance of maintaining open, rules-based trade. During the discussion, H.E. Dr. Al Zeyoudi highlighted the significant benefits of the UAE’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) program, through which the UAE has secured 27 deals so far. He also emphasized the potential for further collaboration between the UAE and the EU in crucial sectors such as food security, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and artificial intelligence.
Additionally, H.E. Al Sayegh and H.E. Dr. Al Zeyoudi held a meeting with Maria Luis Albuquerque, EU Commissioner for Financial Services and Financial Stability, to explore the vital role of the financial sector in facilitating global trade. The talks focused on improving small businesses’ access to supply chains, reducing trade barriers, and enhancing cross-border payments through financial technologies like blockchain and decentralized finance.
While in Brussels, H.E. Dr. Al Zeyoudi and H.E. Ahmed Bin Ali Al Sayegh also met with senior officials from the Belgian government, including Maxime Prévot, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Theo Francken, Minister of Foreign Trade, Annelies Verlinden, Minister of Justice, and David Clarinval, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment, Economy, and Agriculture. In 2024, the UAE and Belgium’s bilateral non-oil trade amounted to $4.7 billion, with both countries agreeing to explore further opportunities for cooperation, especially in areas such as energy, logistics, and manufacturing.
In conclusion, the visit to Brussels, along with the UAE’s growing economic relations with the European Union, highlights the country’s strategic vision to strengthen its role as a global leader in trade and investment by fostering partnerships with all EU member states.
