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January 19, 2026 – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Global Affairs Canada
Last week, the Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, met with Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), during his visit to the Gulf region with a delegation of senior-level Canadian business leaders.
Minister Sidhu emphasized the Canadian delegation’s strong interest in pursuing new trade partnerships and investment initiatives, as well as Canada’s leadership in information and communications technology and artificial intelligence, clean technology, energy, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing and aerospace. Minister Al Zeyoudi announced that a UAE business delegation would visit Canada this year.
The ministers noted recent important milestones in the Canada-UAE commercial relationship. In particular, the signing of the Canada-UAE Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, the expansion of the Canada-UAE Air Transport Agreement and the launch of negotiations toward a comprehensive economic partnership agreement.
The ministers reaffirmed Canada and the UAE’s shared commitment to strengthening economic ties, advancing innovation and expanding opportunities for businesses and workers in both countries.
The meeting underscored the growing Canada-UAE partnership, building on the momentum generated by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to the UAE in November 2025 and supporting Canada’s goals of expanding and diversifying trade and doubling non-U.S. exports over the next ten years.
