UAE to strengthen economic and trade relations with Chad

Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Minister of Economy, recently received Mohamed Hamed Kawa, Minister of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Chad, and his delegation at the headquarters of the General Civil Aviation Authority, GCAA, in Dubai.

The two sides discussed ways to strengthen economic relations, the importance of co-ordination in the field of civil aviation, the potential to increase trade, and the exploration of investment opportunities in priority sectors. They also touched on strategies for introducing the UAE’s business community to major economic and investment opportunities in the Republic of Chad.

The meeting was attended by Mohammed Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz Al Shehhi, the Ministry of Economy’s Under-Secretary of Economic Affairs; Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the GCAA; Juma Mohammed Al Kait, the Ministry of Economy’s Assistant Under-Secretary for Foreign Trade Affairs; and Amer Al-Menhali, Charge d'affaires of the UAE Embassy in Chad.

Al Mansoori voiced the UAE’s commitment to reinforcing its economic, trade and investment relations with the Republic of Chad, noting the great potential for productive co-operation in these areas. He emphasised the importance of meetings and intensified dialogue in identifying frameworks for future collaboration, exploring opportunities, and introducing the UAE’s business community to the economy, legislative and regulatory frameworks, as well as the investment elements of the Republic of Chad’s key sectors.

The UAE minister said that trade with Chad has grown significantly over the past few years, increasing from US$177 million in 2015 to US$245 million last year.

He said that civil aviation is an important area of co-operation, which provides a foundation for promoting various other commercial and investment activities. He noted that Chad’s strategic geographical location makes it a major corridor for international aviation, and so the possibility of organising direct flights between the two countries should be considered.

The minister added that the UAE also looks forward to exploring co-operative prospects in several other sectors supported by Chad’s economy, most notably investments in infrastructure, agriculture and livestock.

Kawa expressed his country's interest in forging stronger economic ties with the UAE and benefiting from the latter’s proven economic model, which has enabled sustainable progress. In this regard, Al Mansoori emphasised the UAE’s keenness to co-operate with Chad in transferring knowledge and exchanging experiences.

Chad’s Minister of Commerce and Industry also highlighted the importance of ongoing preparations for an economic forum on trade and investment opportunities in the Republic of Chad to be held in Abu Dhabi in September.

He said that the event will be an important opportunity for reviewing Chad’s economic environment and its vibrant and promising sectors. He added that it will open the door for UAE investors to learn more about Chad’s existing economic system, the country’s efforts to further develop its economy, and the mutual benefits of such activities to the friendly countries.

Source: WAM