Ministry of Economy Officials Meet French Special Representative for Trade

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 9 October, 2014 – His Excellency Abdullah Al Saleh, Undersecretary for Foreign Trade and Industry, Ministry of Economy, met with Anne-Marie Idrac, Special Representative of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development. 

The meeting that was attended by His Excellency Michel Miraillet, Ambassador of France in the UAE, and His Excellency Juma Al Kait, Assistant Undersecretary for Economic Affairs, Ministry of Economy, discussed bilateral relations and trade and investment cooperation between the two countries. 

Abdullah Al Saleh provided the French Special Representative with an overview of the UAE’s economy. He also highlighted the country’s enabling investment environment, legislations, infrastructures and free zones. Underlining the opportunities for cooperation and investment in the industry, energy and SME sectors, Al Saleh urged the increased participation of French companies in UAE-based business exhibitions and events. 

For her part, Anne-Marie Idrac commended the UAE’s economic achievements and stressed the importance of developing bilateral synergy between the UAE and France. 

Non-oil trade between the UAE and France reached US$4.6 billion in 2013. Currently, 128 French companies, 249 trade agencies and 8155 trademarks are registered with the Ministry of Economy. The UAE’s investments in France are estimated by the Invest in France Agency (IFA) to total US$1.5 billion, comprising 45% of the total investments from the Middle East in France. These investments are directed towards the transport, aviation, electronics, automobiles, and energy sectors.