Abu dhabi: Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, welcomed Aukje de Vries, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, to Abu Dhabi for the third UAE-Netherlands Joint Economic Committee (JEC) meeting. The event aimed at deepening bilateral trade and investment relations and was attended by senior government officials, business leaders, and private sector representatives from both countries.
According to Emirates News Agency, Al Zeyoudi emphasized the significance of the UAE-Netherlands partnership, highlighting the shared focus on innovation, sustainable development, and the potential for expanding bilateral trade and investment ties across future-focused sectors. The Netherlands is the UAE's 4th largest trading partner in the European Union, with bilateral non-oil trade exceeding US$4.1 billion in the first nine months of 2025, marking a 6.5% increase year-on-year. Currently, mutual investment stands at US$20 billion, with a significant focus on green technologies as private sector collaboration expands.
Aukje de Vries reiterated the importance of the UAE as a partner for the Netherlands, citing broad bilateral relations including political dialogue and combating transnational organized crime. She noted that bilateral trade exceeded EUR13 billion in 2024, aligning closely with Dutch expertise in food security, water management, and high-tech solutions. The JEC aims to foster opportunities for 500 Dutch companies active in the UAE.
Discussions during the meeting included enhancing cooperation in sectors such as energy and renewable energy, innovation and advanced technology, agri-tech, and tourism. Both ministers emphasized the role of innovation in achieving shared economic objectives and reaffirmed their commitment to creating an environment conducive to private-sector collaboration.
Concluding the meeting, the UAE and the Netherlands agreed to hold a future JEC in the Netherlands, underscoring their commitment to ongoing dialogue and collaboration.