Brief
UAE pushes forward with global trade deals amid regional conflict
UAE officials say waiting is not an option as they pursue new partnerships and logistics solutions while the region remains volatile.
By Felo News Desk · Published
At a World Economic Forum panel, Fahad Al Gergawi, under‑secretary at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade, said the United Arab Emirates will continue signing international trade agreements despite the ongoing regional conflict. He noted that UAE ministers visited Japan in the first month of the fighting to advance negotiations and stressed that "waiting is not an option" for governments making economic decisions.
Al Gergawi highlighted the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership – a framework that brings together the UAE, Switzerland, Singapore and New Zealand – and said roughly 20 countries are actively engaging with the initiative. The partnership is intended to foster cooperation, use technology to ease trade and counter rising protectionism.
The official also cited the UAE’s recent foreign‑direct investment inflows of $48.3 billion and outward investment of about $63 billion, emphasizing investments in ports, logistics infrastructure and supply‑chain projects that support the movement of goods between markets.
Logistics resilience was underscored by Farid Belbouab, group CEO of Gulftainer, who explained how cargo arriving at Khorfakkan Port on the east coast can be trucked to Mina Khalid in Sharjah and re‑loaded for distribution to Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq within three to four days. He said the integrated network of maritime terminals, industrial zones, logistics parks and inland transport is essential for maintaining Gulf supply chains.
Al Gergawi concluded that the UAE’s strategy focuses on connecting economies, attracting businesses and creating opportunities through international cooperation, even as tariff barriers and geopolitical uncertainty affect global commerce.
Key facts
- UAE under‑secretary Fahad Al Gergawi said the country will keep pursuing trade deals despite regional conflict. (khaleejtimes.com)
- The Future of Investment and Trade Partnership involves the UAE, Switzerland, Singapore and New Zealand, with about 20 countries showing interest. (khaleejtimes.com)
- UAE recorded $48.3 billion in foreign direct investment inflows and roughly $63 billion in outward investment, according to Al Gergawi. (khaleejtimes.com)
- Gulftainer can move cargo from Khorfakkan to Mina Khalid and onward to Gulf markets in three to four days. (khaleejtimes.com)
Sources
- [1] khaleejtimes.com — originally reported as “UAE presses ahead with global trade deals despite regional conflict”
