Abu dhabi: Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, conducted a series of strategic bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) Investment Summit 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The discussions involved counterparts from Africa, Europe, Asia, and the World Bank to foster trade and investment cooperation.
According to Emirates News Agency, the summit, which saw the participation of 191 countries and organizations, highlighted the UAE's emerging role as a central hub for global economic dialogue and partnerships. Al Zeyoudi engaged with His Excellency Parks Tau, South Africa's Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, to explore opportunities in manufacturing, agribusiness, and logistics, alongside strengthening private-sector links between the two nations.
Al Zeyoudi's meeting with Ahmed Rostom, Egypt's Minister of Planning and Economic Development, focused on enhancing joint investments in infrastructure and digital services to broaden their economic partnership. Additionally, discussions with Ibrahim Alpha Sesay, Sierra Leone's Minister of Trade and Industry, centered on agribusiness and private-sector development.
European engagements included talks with Jagoda Lazarevic, Serbia's Minister of Internal and Foreign Trade, about trade facilitation and food security. A meeting with Simonida Kordic, Montenegro's Minister of Tourism, revolved around tourism and hospitality investments. Al Zeyoudi also explored avenues for cooperation in technology and agriculture with Gevorg Papoyan, Armenia's Minister of Economy.
In Asia, Al Zeyoudi met with Dorjkhand Togmid, Mongolia's Deputy Prime Minister, to discuss mining and renewable energy opportunities, and Ayaz Baetov from Kyrgyzstan to expand trade in agriculture and textiles. A discussion with Dr. Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, India, focused on industrial investments, reinforcing the UAE-India economic bond.
Al Zeyoudi also engaged with Sangbu Kim from the World Bank to discuss digital infrastructure's role in accelerating trade facilitation. These diverse engagements underscore the UAE's efforts in expanding trade networks and supporting economic diversification goals.
Commenting on the meetings, Al Zeyoudi remarked, "The breadth of engagement at AIM Investment Summit reflects the growing global appetite to partner with the UAE across trade, investment, and the digital economy. These meetings allow us to identify concrete avenues for collaboration with partners in Africa, Europe, and Asia, and to advance our shared commitment to sustainable, mutually beneficial economic growth."