UAE-Israel trade has ‘limitless’ potential, says PM Naftali Bennett during visit

Non-oil commerce between the countries reached $700 million in one year

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is welcomed to Abu Dhabi by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation. Wam

Mr Bennett is the first Israeli prime minister to visit the UAE. Wam

Sheikh Abdullah and Mr Bennett with Mohamed Al Khaja, UAE Ambassador to Israel, and Amir Hayek, Israel's ambassador to the Emirates. Wam

The visit comes after Mr Al Khaja delivered an invitation to the Israeli prime minister in October on behalf of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. Wam

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett says the potential for trade between his country and the UAE is "limitless".

Mr Bennett arrived in the UAE on Sunday for the first official visit by an Israeli leader to the Emirates.

He was welcomed at the Presidential Terminal at Abu Dhabi International Airport by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.

In September last year, the UAE and Israel normalised relations through the signing of the Abraham Accords and much has been done since then to bolster a flourishing friendship.

Our co-operation provides unprecedented economic opportunities not only for us, but for more countries

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett

Mr Bennett said the visit underlined the progress in relations between the countries.

"In my opinion, this is the peace and the new reality this region is witnessing, and we are working together to ensure a better future for our children," Mr Bennett told UAE news agency Wam.

The two nations have strengthened bonds in a variety of sectors, particularly in the area of trade.

Non-oil trade between the UAE and Israel reached $700 million in one year, according to the Minister of Economy, Abdulla bin Touq.

The two countries also signed 60 major agreements at the government and private sector levels, covering industries such as science and technology, artificial intelligence, tourism, logistics, transportation, health care and energy.

Mr Bennett said the potential for further growth was unlimited.

"The volume of mutual trade between us has expedited within a few months, with limitless future opportunities to develop it," he said.

"Israel, like the UAE, is a regional hub of trade. Our co-operation provides unprecedented economic opportunities not only for us, but for more countries, which is another element for enhancing stability and prosperity in this region."

He said the fields of health and food security "will constitute a major part of the co-operation between us".

The Israel pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, which has a theme of 'Journey to Tomorrow', has been a popular attraction for visitors. Recently, it celebrated the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

"The Israeli pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai embodies an optimistic outlook for tomorrow and a boundless quest to make it better, not only for us, but for our friends and allies all over the world in various fields, and this is a fundamental value of Judaism," he said.