UAE Minister Highlights Stronger India-UAE Ties, Focus on Kerala’s Growth Sectors

UAE Minister Highlights Strong India-UAE Ties and Kerala’s Growth Potential

Kochi (Kerala): Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE’s Minister of Economy, highlighted the long-standing ties between India and the UAE while pointing out their notable economic expansion. He emphasized that India is still the UAE’s second-largest trading partner while speaking at the Invest Kerala Global Summit (IKGS) on Friday. He also expressed a wish to increase collaboration with Kerala in key fields like space, technology, healthcare, tourism, and food processing.

Al Marri led a delegation of 22 people and commended Kerala’s business-friendly policies and competent workforce, saying the state is aggressively encouraging innovation and talent.
He also acknowledged Kerala’s strategic location, which plays a vital role in global economic engagement.

Bahrain’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, also spoke at the event, highlighting Bahrain’s interest in partnering with Kerala, particularly in food security, tourism, hospitality, and the semiconductor industry.

Investment Potential and Growth Sectors
M.A. Yusuff Ali, the chairman and MD of the Lulu Group, emphasized Kerala’s robust investment potential by highlighting prospects in the fields of information technology, traditional industries, medical devices, food and agro-processing, artificial intelligence, robotics, defense manufacturing, and health tourism. Additionally, he highlighted Kerala’s expanding standing as a center of education and the increased prospects for international universities to open offices there.

Focus Areas of Invest Kerala Global Summit
The two-day summit, hosted by the Government of Kerala with the support of industry leaders, aims to attract global investment and partnerships in sectors including artificial intelligence and robotics, aerospace and defence, logistics and maritime, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, renewable energy and ayurveda, food technology, high-value rubber products, tourism and hospitality, and waste management and sustainability.

The event features business networking sessions, country-focused collaborations, and discussions on Kerala’s new Industrial Policy, which identifies over 22 priority sectors for proactive promotion. With a strong emphasis on innovation, skilled talent, and investment-friendly policies, Kerala is positioning itself as a key global investment destination through this summit.