Abu dhabi: Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, welcomed Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Austrian Minister for European and International Affairs, along with a delegation of Austrian business executives, to a business roundtable aimed at enhancing private sector collaboration between UAE and Austrian companies and driving bilateral economic relations. The meeting follows the initial UAE-Austria Business Roundtable held in November last year, reflecting the commitment of both nations to quickly accelerate the growth in trade and investment flows between the two sides.
According to Emirates News Agency, Al Zeyoudi highlighted the importance of Austria as a strategic partner in the EU, noting that non-oil trade between the UAE and Austria increased 15.8 percent year-on-year to reach US$2.1 billion in 2025. He stated, "Our partnership with Austria continues to evolve, presenting exciting opportunities for trade and investment that will benefit both nations. By fostering private sector collaboration, we are unlocking new avenues for mutual benefit in sectors like technology, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing."
Minister Meinl-Reisinger expressed her enthusiasm for strengthening ties, remarking, "The United Arab Emirates is Austria's most important business partner in the whole GCC region and an important strategic partner. I therefore visit the United Arab Emirates today accompanied by a business delegation." She added that discussions focused on increasing trade and economic cooperation in areas such as AI or sustainability, as well as the ongoing CEPA-negotiations between the European Union and the United Arab Emirates.
Al Zeyoudi invited the Austrian business community to take full advantage of the UAE's investment ecosystem, which offers a highly connected platform for expansion into not only the Middle East but Africa and Asia. The UAE business delegation included representatives from various sectors, while the Austrian delegation featured representatives from several companies, underlining the diverse areas of potential collaboration.
The meeting also included bilateral sessions between Emirati and Austrian companies, focusing on deepening ties in key high-growth sectors. Participants expressed a commitment to pursue collaborative projects in advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, tourism, and technology, aiming to enhance trade relations and foster long-term economic growth for both nations.
