Flags of Germany and the United Arab Emirates

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Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier talked with Dr Sultan Al Jaber, the new Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology of the United Arab Emirates, in a video conference today. At this occasion, he also welcomed the new Ambassador of the UAE in Berlin, Ms Hafsa Abdulla Mohamed Sharif Alulama.

Federal Minister Altmaier said: “I sincerely congratulate Minister Al Jaber on his appointment. The United Arab Emirates is placing a high priority on forward-looking economic issues by creating the new Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. I also want to congratulate the new Ambassador of the UAE in Berlin.

Germany and the United Arab Emirates can look back on a long tradition of good cooperation. In the energy sector, we have been working together in the context of a very active energy partnership for more than three years now. We look forward to continuing this cooperation, especially on the generation, use and transport of sustainable hydrogen. Our two countries attach great importance to hydrogen. We therefore want to expand and intensify the cooperation on hydrogen between our two countries.”

Economic relations between Germany and the United Arab Emirates are close, and the UAE is Germany’s most important trading partner in the Middle East. Since 2004, there has been a strategic partnership between the two countries. In 2019, bilateral trade amounted to nearly €10 billion. Exports totalled €9 billion and imports amounted to €1 billion.

The Joint Economic Commission between Germany and the United Arab Emirates takes place every two years. At this occasion, representatives from government, companies and business associations of both sides meet to exchange views. The last session of the Joint Economic Commission was held in Berlin in March 2019, and the next session is to take place in the United Arab Emirates in 2021.