The UAE and the United States continue to strengthen cooperation in technology and innovation

The United Arab Emirates and the United States of America continue to explore ways to consolidate their strategic cooperation in the fields of advanced technology and innovation.

His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, discussed with a number of senior officials and business leaders ways to advance the long-term partnership in the technological field between the two friendly countries, in a way that consolidates the UAE’s position as a global platform for innovation, artificial intelligence, and advanced technologies, during his participation at the head of an Emirati delegation. At CES 2025, the world’s largest annual event in the consumer electronics industry hosted by the American city of Las Vegas.

The UAE delegation included a group of senior government officials, business leaders and company representatives.

During his visit, His Excellency Al-Zeyoudi met with senior US government officials, including Stavros Anthony, Governor of Nevada, and representatives of the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development, the US Chamber of Commerce, and the Las Vegas Chamber.

The discussions focused on ways to enhance technological partnerships between the UAE and the United States, and explore opportunities for cooperation.

The meetings also discussed the most prominent advantages that the country enjoys in terms of its advanced infrastructure, talent, and business-friendly system, as a gateway to rapidly growing markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

His Excellency Thani Al Zeyoudi confirmed that UAE investments in the United States exceeded $35 billion, which reflects the strength of investment relations between the two sides.

He said that in parallel with expanding our partnerships in the field of advanced technology, we aim to support innovation, provide more job opportunities, and accelerate the adoption of the next generation of technology, as the technology system in the UAE, supported by initiatives including the next generation of foreign direct investments, provides unparalleled opportunities for American companies. Which looks forward to improving its operations and accessing high-growth markets, and together the two parties can achieve common prosperity and build a future full of innovation and cooperation.

His Excellency Al Zeyoudi also participated in a discussion session that examined current geopolitical trends and challenges. During his speech, he focused on the strength of global trade, stressing the role of the UAE in building bridges between markets and enabling smooth trade flows in a way that achieves the interests of everyone.

His Excellency shed light on the most prominent developments in the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements Program, which the UAE has continued to implement since the end of 2021, with the aim of expanding the scope of trade relations with strategic markets around the world.

During his three-day visit, His Excellency Al-Zeyoudi held meetings with senior executives of a number of leading companies specialized in the fields of artificial intelligence, health technology, and automotive technology, and major players in the industry, including Accenture, Qualcomm, the Consumer Technology Association, Skylo, and MGM Resorts Worldwide.

It is noteworthy that the United States is the UAE’s fourth largest trading partner globally, with a share of 4.8% of the country’s total non-oil trade.

During the first nine months of 2024, the volume of bilateral non-oil trade reached $28.3 billion, a growth of 46.2% compared to the same period in 2019.

The UAE is the most important trading partner of the United States in the Arab world, as bilateral trade constitutes 27% of the United States’ non-oil trade with the region.

In terms of investments, the value of the UAE’s assets in the United States reached $35 billion, which exceeds 50% of the total foreign direct investments from Arab countries in America until the end of 2023, while the value of American investments in the UAE exceeded $5 billion by the end of the year. 2022.