June 20, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

Yesterday, the Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, met in Ottawa with Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) Minister of State for Foreign Trade. This was their first bilateral meeting.

Minister Sidhu and Minister Al Zeyoudi discussed the importance of strengthening the trade and investment relationship between Canada and the U.A.E. To that effect, the ministers agreed on the need to conclude the negotiations for the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement soon.

Minister Sidhu also highlighted many areas of natural partnership as the two countries pursue ambitious growth agendas, such as AI, clean tech, energy, agri-food, and infrastructure.    

The ministers will continue to work together to open doors for Canadian and Emirati businesses to succeed, including by supporting initiatives such as the Canada-U.A.E. Business Council mission to Toronto, Ontario, and Calgary, Alberta, in early July this year.

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