The Emirates and France are looking to develop economic partnership and tourism cooperation

Paris, October 5 / WAM / His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al -Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, discussed with His Excellency Eric Lombard, Minister of Economy, Finance and Industrial and digital sovereignty in the French Republic, and His Excellency Natalie Delate, Minister Delegate for Tourism in the French Republic, in Paris, developing economic partnership between the UAE and the Republic of France, expanding areas of economic and investment cooperation, opening new channels for business community, and ways of developing Cooperation in the tourism and travel sector, and the increase in tourism investment opportunities, which supports the increase in the sector’s contribution to the sustainable economic development of the two countries.

His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq stressed that the Emirati -French economic relations are durable and varied and include the various vital sectors in the two countries, and it embodies an advanced model for economic cooperation, pointing to the UAE’s keenness to continue to enhance cooperation with France in the new economy sectors, especially tourism and the circular economy, the fields of innovation and financial technology, and entrepreneurship, as major engines for the future economy.

He said that this meeting is an important opportunity to expand the prospects for partnership between the UAE and the French Republic and push them to higher levels of coordination, by enabling business community to reach new opportunities, and developing channels to exchange experiences and experiences, especially since the two countries have joint development visions and integrated economic and tourism ingredients that support the partnership at the governmental and private levels, and enhance the prospects for corporate growth and the flow of mutual investments.

He pointed out that the UAE continues to develop its legislative and economic system in a way that enhances the flexibility and attractiveness of the business environment, by updating laws and procedures and providing support and incentives supportive of business leaders and small and medium -sized companies, allowing French companies to benefit from promising opportunities in the state markets.

During the meeting, the Emirati and French sides discussed mechanisms for enhancing cooperation and facilitating the access of Emirati and French companies to promising opportunities in priority areas in the markets of the two countries, employing advanced and digital technology and artificial intelligence in economic growth, and the partnership in developing and implementing the policies of the circular economy, including smart infrastructure and sustainable transport, as well as the development of startups and entrepreneurship.

His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq stressed that tourism cooperation between the two countries reflects the strength of the existing strategic relations, explaining that the UAE continues to work on launching new initiatives that support sustainable tourism, and opens the way for the innovation of quality products and services capable of meeting the growing global demand, in addition to increasing the volume of cultural and economic exchange with France.

His Excellency added that the UAE adopts a proactive approach in developing its tourism infrastructure and economic legislation in a way that enhances the flexibility and attractiveness of the local market for companies and investors, which provides promising opportunities to build fruitful partnerships with the tourism and French travel sector at the governmental and private levels.

The two parties touched on the importance of tourism as the axis of cooperation and partnership during the next stage, and to discuss ways to enhance travel movement between the two countries and expand joint tourism programs, as well as coordination in international events and exchange experiences in the areas of green and sustainable tourism, in a way that serves the long -term growth of the sector.

During the past years, Emirati -French relations have witnessed remarkable growth in various economic sectors, as the UAE market is currently hosting more than 15 thousand commercial licenses that include French citizenship operating in various economic activities.

The number of French brands registered in the country until the end of last May reached about 18 thousand and 500 brands, which reflects the depth of the advanced economic partnership between the two sides, and confirms the growing position of the UAE as a favorite destination for French companies in the region.

On the level of tourism relations, the number of French tourists coming to the country reached about 648 thousand and 704 tourists in 2024, an increase of 15% compared to 2023, while the state received 245 thousand and 269 French tourists during the first quarter of 2025, and the two countries are currently linked to 58 weekly flights directly between their cities, which helped to enhance mutual tourism flows.

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