Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE Minister of Economy and President of Investopia, met with several ministers from Cyprus and Greece to strengthen shared economic and investment relations for the upcoming phase. According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), these meetings also aimed to support collaboration in new economy sectors, innovation, digital infrastructure, food security, renewable energy, smart tourism technologies, and sustainable environmental practices. This occurred on the sidelines of the first edition of “Investopia-Mediterranean” in Cyprus, which saw wide participation from ministers, government officials, private sector company representatives, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers from the UAE, Lebanon, Cyprus, Greece, and Europe. Attendees included Mohammed Al-Hawee, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Investment, Mohammed Saeed Al-Shamsi, UAE Ambassador to Cyprus, and Sheikha Nasser Al-Nuaimi, elected Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization for 2026-2029. The discussions highlighted the UAE’s efforts, under its leadership, to grow and diversify the national economy, increase the contribution of non-oil sectors to the GDP, and accelerate the shift towards a knowledge- and technology-based economic model. The “We Are the UAE 2031” vision was also discussed as a key driver to establish the UAE as a global hub for business, investment, and the new economy by the next decade. Abdullah bin Touq held a meeting with Giorgos Papanastasiou, Cyprus’ Minister of Energy, Commerce, and Industry, to explore opportunities for expanding the distinguished economic partnership between the UAE and Cyprus, creating new pathways for businesses in both nations to build strategic partnerships supporting sustainable economic growth. Bin Touq emphasized that UAE-Cyprus relations are historic, based on mutual understanding and fruitful cooperation, with continuous development across strategic sectors, especially economic and investment areas. Both sides discussed enhancing opportunities for UAE companies operating in Cyprus and the benefits for Cypriot exporters leveraging the UAE’s strategic position as a global business and investment hub. In a related meeting, Bin Touq met with Dr. Constantinos Kombos, Cyprus’ Foreign Minister, to explore ways to enhance shared economic relations in areas of mutual interest. He highlighted the UAE’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with Cyprus, particularly in energy, renewable energy, and industry. Bin Touq also met with Costas Komi, Cyprus’ State Minister for Tourism, discussing the “National Tourism Strategy 2031” and its role in boosting the UAE’s attractiveness to visitors and tourism investments, aiming to establish the country as a top global tourist destination by the next decade. Discussions included potential joint tourism projects in both markets and the Eastern Mediterranean region, focusing on sustainable and green tourism initiatives to increase tourist flow between the two nations. Additionally, Bin Touq met with Olga Kefalogianni, Greece’s Tourism Minister, to enhance bilateral cooperation in diverse tourism fields, exchange expertise in smart tourism infrastructure and responsible environmental practices, and develop joint programs to increase tourist exchanges between the two countries. Bin Touq noted that this meeting represents a significant step in advancing tourism cooperation amid a strong economic partnership. Tourism cooperation between the two countries is growing, with Greek tourists to the UAE reaching 20,452 in 2024, a 25% increase from 16,366 in 2023, and 33 weekly flights between the two nations.
— new from (العين الإخبارية)
