ABU DHABI // Members of the Federal National Council met representatives from Latin America and Caribbean nations on Sunday to discuss trade and regional issues.
A delegation from the Latin American and Caribbean Group (Grulac), headed by president Roberto Leon, held discussions with FNC members as part of the United Nations group’s visit to the capital.
Mr Leon, who is from Chile, said the UAE was playing a major role in providing positive solutions to unrest in the region “based on dialogue, solving disputes peacefully, and creating a suitable environment for international relations”.
“We share the same stance against terrorism and there is no doubt that the Muslim world does not call for terrorism.”
He said that in his region people were aware that Islam was a peaceful, forgiving religion and far from the practices of extremist groups.
FNC speaker Dr Amal Al Qubaisi said there was a desire for increased trade between the UAE and Grulac nations. She said she expected the visit to boost such ties.
“Economic relations are growing, but not enough,” she said. “The amount of exchange between the UAE and these countries is less than 1 per cent of both sides’ GDP. Through agreements, investments will grow.”
Commercial trade between the UAE and Brazil reached US$3 billion (Dh11bn) in 2013.
“We will see the fruits of that cooperation in the coming few years, through more deals and agreements in various fields,” said Mr Leon.
There was a recommendation to exempt the UAE from double taxation which a representative from Chile said he will be raising to his country’s parliament, which was welcomed by Dr Al Qubaisi.
The official visit followed an agreement signed in October 2014 to strengthen cooperation in all fields, since there are many issues of common interest.
hdajani@thenational.ae
