UAE-German Business Forum Held in Abu Dhabi

UAE-German Business Forum Strengthens Economic Ties with Strategic Investments

The UAE-German Business Forum, which took place at the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) on February 4, was a major step in enhancing the long-standing commercial relationship between Germany and the United Arab Emirates. In order to investigate new opportunities for cooperation in important strategic areas, the high-profile event brought together representatives of the private sector, industrial executives, and senior government officials from both countries.

The forum was graced by the presence of Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Jörg Kukies, Germany’s Minister of Finance, alongside Ahmed Alattar, UAE Ambassador to Germany, and Alexander Schonfelder, German Ambassador to the UAE. Their involvement demonstrated both nations’ dedication to developing closer economic ties.

Minister Al Zeyoudi emphasized the possibilities for additional trade and investment growth as well as the strength of the UAE-Germany economic partnership in his opening remarks. According to him, non-oil trade between the two nations was USD 13.8 billion in 2024, up 5.4% from the year before and almost doubling the average growth rate of global trade. He highlighted the prospects in sophisticated manufacturing, logistics, Industry 4.0, and renewable energy.

One of the main topics of conversation was the UAE’s function as a gateway to high-growth markets, offering German companies unmatched access to the Middle East, Asia, and Africa through its Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPA). Since more than 25% of the world’s population is covered by the agreements, the UAE is an important hub for trade and investment.

Germany’s commitment to deepening commercial relations with the United Arab Emirates was reiterated by Jörg Kukies. He emphasized the strategic importance of the UAE as a regional and global trade partner and highlighted the vast opportunities available for collaboration in clean energy, advanced technology, sustainable investment, and digital transformation. The forum provided the perfect setting for fostering high-impact collaborations between German and Emirati companies, since the world’s economies are moving toward digital manufacturing and green energy.

One of the key highlights of the forum was the progress made under the Energy Security and Industry Accelerator Agreement, signed in 2022. Investments in renewable energy, LNG, and low-carbon ammonia projects have been made possible by this agreement. Notably, Masdar’s investment in the Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm will soon supply 475,000 German households with clean energy, proving the effectiveness of the UAE-Germany partnership in the field of renewable energy.

Subsequent conversations focused on Germany’s increasing investments in the UAE’s industrial automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced technology industries. German companies seeking to expand their operations in the Middle East have been drawn to the UAE by the NextGen FDI initiative, which supports high-growth businesses entering into the region.

The robust trade relations between the two countries were evident, with Germany maintaining its position as the UAE’s second-largest trade partner within the European Union and 13th globally. The UAE’s non-oil exports to Germany surged by 44.7% in 2024, reaching USD 616 million, while re-exports totaled USD 1.1 billion. Additionally, German imports to the UAE rose to USD 12.1 billion, reflecting the strengthening trade partnership.

The forum concluded with networking sessions and business matchmaking meetings, providing a platform for UAE and German business leaders to explore new investment and trade opportunities. Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed, focusing on joint investments in fintech, digital transformation, and sustainable ventures. Germany’s Capital 468 announced investments in UAE-based companies, including digital payment platform Alaan and financing firm Flow48. Additional investments were directed towards Hydrum Technologies, a market-making platform, and Oro, a digital platform for tokenized gold investments.

ZenAdmin, a pioneer in HR and IT automation solutions from Germany, also disclosed plans to increase its footprint in the United Arab Emirates by acquiring a local IT platform. This action supports the UAE’s goal of becoming a center for digital transformation and strengthens its position as a top location for technology investments.

The UAE-German Business Forum reiterated both countries’ dedication to promoting innovation, sustainability, and economic progress. The UAE and Germany are well-positioned to attain increased economic prosperity and worldwide competitiveness in the years to come by leveraging new opportunities and fortifying strategic alliances.