South-East Asian nations are natural trade and investment partners for the UAE, according to Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade. Photo: Ministry of Economy
South-East Asian nations are natural trade and investment partners for the UAE, according to Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade. Photo: Ministry of Economy
South-East Asian nations are natural trade and investment partners for the UAE, according to Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade. Photo: Ministry of Economy
South-East Asian nations are natural trade and investment partners for the UAE, according to Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade. Photo: Ministry of Economy

UAE aims to strengthen trade and investment ties with Asean members


Fareed Rahman
  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE is seeking to increase trade and investment ties with the Association of South East Asian Nations member states, having signed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements with many of the countries in the bloc, Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, said.

The minister's remarks were made during a visit to Jakarta, Indonesia, to attend the annual Asean Business and Investment Summit, which brings together heads of state, policymakers and business leaders to discuss issues facing South-East Asia, the Ministry of Economy said on Tuesday.

“As the economic centre of gravity continues to shift eastward, the UAE and Asean can form a powerful new corridor of opportunity, one that can direct capital into high-growth sectors, develop solutions in food security and energy transition, and create clusters of excellence in the industries of the future,” Dr Al Zeyoudi said.

“Our Cepa programme, which includes completed deals with Indonesia and Cambodia, and the launch of negotiations with Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia, underlines our confidence in these economies – and their role in delivering a new Asian future,” he said.

The UAE’s Cepa deal with Indonesia, which came into force last week, is projected to increase the value of bilateral non-oil trade to more than $10 billion within five years, from $4.08 billion now.

The agreement also seeks to raise the combined value of trade in services between the nations to $630 million by 2030.

The UAE also signed a Cepa deal with Cambodia designed to more than double non-oil bilateral trade over the next five years.

The accord aims to boost trade to $1 billion from $407 million in 2022, the Ministry of Economy said in June.

UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi led a UAE delegation to Jakarta to deepen trade and investment ties with the Asean region. Photo: Ministry of Economy
UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi led a UAE delegation to Jakarta to deepen trade and investment ties with the Asean region. Photo: Ministry of Economy

The UAE is working towards signing 26 Cepas as it seeks to attract more investment and diversify its economy.

The Asean, which includes Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, represented 5.2 per cent of the UAE’s total non-oil foreign trade in 2022, reaching $32.2 million, according to Dr Al Zeyoudi.

The non-oil trade between the UAE and the bloc rose 2 per cent annually to reach $15.3 billion in the first half of 2023.

“The nations of South-East Asia are natural trade and investment partners for the UAE as they all share pro-growth, pro-trade agendas, and there are limitless opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, advanced technology, logistics and sustainable travel and tourism that can be developed,” the minister said.

During the visit, Dr Al Zeyoudi held meetings with prime ministers, ministers and senior government officials to strengthen trade ties and build consensus on issues of global trade in the build-up to the World Trade Organisation’s 13th Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi in February, according to the Ministry of Economy.

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Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.

The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.

It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.

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Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”

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The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.

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Day 2, stumps

Pakistan 482

Australia 30/0 (13 ov)

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Match info

Manchester United 1 (Van de Beek 80') Crystal Palace 3 (Townsend 7', Zaha pen 74' & 85')

Man of the match Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)

Day 3, Dubai Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage, the Sri Lanka pace bowler, has had to play a lot of cricket to earn a shot at the top level. The 29-year-old debutant first played a first-class game 11 years ago. His first Test wicket was one to savour, bowling Pakistan opener Shan Masood through the gate. It set the rot in motion for Pakistan’s batting.

Stat of the day – 73 Haris Sohail took 73 balls to hit a boundary. Which is a peculiar quirk, given the aggressive intent he showed from the off. Pakistan’s batsmen were implored to attack Rangana Herath after their implosion against his left-arm spin in Abu Dhabi. Haris did his best to oblige, smacking the second ball he faced for a huge straight six.

The verdict One year ago, when Pakistan played their first day-night Test at this ground, they held a 222-run lead over West Indies on first innings. The away side still pushed their hosts relatively close on the final night. With the opposite almost exactly the case this time around, Pakistan still have to hope they can salvage a win from somewhere.

Updated: September 05, 2023, 2:22 PM