UAE, Canada discuss plan to boost SMEs, innovation
dubai — The first joint economic committee of the UAE and Canada successfully concluded its first preparatory meeting in Ottawa.
The meeting was chaired by UAE Minister of Economy Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri and Canadian Minister of International Trade Chrystia Freeland. The event also witnessed the participation and attendance of senior government officials from both countries.
Discussions during the preparatory meeting were led by Mohammed Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz Al Shehhi, Undersecretary for Economic Affairs, and Christine Hogan, deputy minister of International Trade. The meeting discussed the guidelines and framework for the increased mutual cooperation between the two countries, especially across key sectors like small and medium enterprises (SMEs), innovation and investment.
Also talked about were key efforts to enhance cooperation in the fields of renewable energy, banking & financial services, education, health care, agriculture, food, cultural cooperation and airline services.
Al Shehhi shared that the launch of the first joint economic committee of the two countries represents significant importance as it is tasked with the promotion of economic relations while also exploring potential opportunities in cooperation across common interest sectors — further reflecting a positive impact on the volume of trade exchange between UAE and Canada, wherein last year saw the achievement of over $2.1 billion in trade, including free trade zones.
He also pointed out that the joint economic committee constitutes the appropriate framework for the development of bilateral relations in accordance with the interests of the two countries through the implementation of an effective mechanism aimed at monitoring the decisions made in accordance to clear timetables, especially as they are held with the participation of a large number of government agencies and the private sector from both sides.
Lastly, Al Shehhi revealed that both countries are now also looking at ways to enhance cooperation in the fields of aviation and air transport.
— business@khaleejtimes.com