Bilateral Cooperation between UAE and German

The German capital, Berlin, will host the ninth meeting of Joint UAE- German Committee to discuss economic cooperation, trade exchange from April 19- 20, under the co chair of UAE Minister of Economy Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri and Federal German Minister of Economics and Technology Dr. Philipp Rosler.

The meeting will discuss boosting of cooperation framework in vital different areas, notably, the technology, innovation, knowledge economy, renewable energy, health, metrology and standards, railways, trains, tourism, financial sector and insurance. It will also tackle ways to increase the trade exchange and create balance between the exports and imports.

Al Mansouri said the two countries have strong relations based on mutual respect, thanks to the keenness of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the German Government on bolstering the friendship and cooperation ties between the two countries in the best interest of the two peoples.

"The relations between the two countries are not confined to the political and diplomatic coordination, but also extend to the economic and trade areas. The UAE is a sole country in the region that has strategic partnership with Germany. It is also the top trade partner for Germany in the Gulf region," he added.

The UAE minister noted that the UAE consolidates ties with Germany due to its global economic weight, advanced technology and pioneer role in European Union. He added that Germany's interest in the region is whetted by the UAE's strategic location that attracts investors, as well as being a financial hub and trade gateway to Arab world and Far East.

Al Mansouri said the trade exchange between the two countries stood at Dh31 billion in 2011, stressing that the strength of bilateral relations is linked to the growth of the trade exchange and investment. He cited the existence of about 1, 000 German companies and big German community in the UAE.