Ibn Touq discusses with ministers from Cyprus and Greece to enhance joint cooperation in the economic and tourism fields

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Cyprus, June 11/ WAM/ His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al -Marri, Minister of Economy, President of Investopia, met a number of ministers from the Republic of Cyprus and the Republic of Greece, with the aim of strengthening joint economic and investment relations during the next stage, and supporting cooperation in the sectors of the new economy, innovation, digital infrastructure, food security, renewable energy, smart tourism technology and sustainable environmental practices.

This came on the sidelines of the first edition of “Intestopia – Mediterranean” in Cyprus, which witnessed a wide participation of ministers, government officials, representatives of private sector companies, businessmen, investors, decision makers and entrepreneurs in the Emirates, Lebanon, Cyprus, Greece and Europe.

The meetings were attended by His Excellency Mohammed Al -Hawi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Investment; And His Excellency Mohammed Saif Al -Shehhi, the UAE ambassador to the Republic of Cyprus; And the Excellency Sheikha Nasser Al -Nuwais, the Secretary -General of the United Nations Tourism Organization for the period from 2026 to 2029. His Excellency reviewed during these meetings the efforts of the UAE thanks to the directives of its rational leadership in the growth and diversification of the national economy and the increase in the contribution of non -oil sectors to the state’s gross domestic product, and the acceleration of the shift towards the innovative economic model based on knowledge and technology, as well as national targets to see “We are 2031” and its role in consolidating the UAE’s position as a global center for business, investment and the new economy by the next decade.

His Excellency Abdullah Bin Touq held a meeting with His Excellency Gi -Corgeus Babanasiio, Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry, to discuss opportunities to expand the distinguished economic partnership between the UAE and Cyprus, and to provide new paths for business community in the two countries that contribute to building qualitative partnerships that support the sustainable growth of the economies of both sides.

His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq stressed that the Emirati Cypriot relations are historical relations based on mutual understanding and fruitful cooperation, and were distinguished by the continuous development in all strategic sectors, especially economic and investment, within the framework of the leadership of the two brotherly countries ’keenness to enhance these relations and raise them to new levels of growth and prosperity, in a way that serves the aspirations and future visions of the two countries.

The Emirati and Cypriot sides touched on the discussion of providing more opportunities and potentials supporting the expansion of the work of Emirati companies operating in the Cypriot market, as well as the importance of exporting in Cyprus from the unique strategic location enjoyed by the UAE as a global center for business and investment, in addition to that it has fruitful economic partnerships and agreements with many strategic markets regionally and internationally, which gives it Various advantages in export and import operations.

In a related context, His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq held another meeting with His Excellency Dr. Konstantinos Combos, the Cypriot Foreign Minister, to discuss ways to enhance joint economic relations in areas of mutual interest.

His Excellency Ibn Touq pointed out that the state is committed to enhancing economic cooperation with the Cypriot government in future fields, especially energy, renewable energy and industry.

The two sides shed light on sustainable economic projects in the two countries and the importance of exchanging experiences and practices in this regard.

His Excellency Ibn Touq, His Excellency Kostas Comets, Minister of State for Tourism in Cyprus, briefed on the “National Tourism Strategy 2031”, and its role in enhancing the UAE’s attractiveness to visitors, tourists and local tourism investments in the tourism and hospitality sectors, and consolidating the state’s position as the best tourist identity in the world by the next decade.

During their meeting, the two sides discussed the possibility of establishing new tourism projects jointly in the markets of the two countries and the eastern Mediterranean region, as well as developing qualitative initiatives in the areas of sustainable and green tourism, in order to support the increase in tourism flow between the two countries.

In addition to this, His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq held a meeting with His Excellency Olga Kivalayani, the Greek Minister of Tourism, to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in the various tourism fields, exchange the best experiences in smart tourism infrastructure and responsible environmental practices, and supporting joint work to develop more joint programs aimed at increasing the exchange of tourism delegations between the two countries during the next stage.

His Excellency Ibn Touq stressed that this meeting represents an important step to enhance the horizons of tourism cooperation between the two countries in light of their advanced economic partnership, which witnessed a qualitative shift in various fields and strategic sectors.

Tourism cooperation between the two countries is witnessing continuous growth, as the number of Greek tourists to the UAE reached 20,452 during the year 2024, an increase of approximately 25% compared to 16,366 in 2023, and the number of flights between the two countries reached 33 flights per week through airlines in the two countries.