UAE and France explore enhanced cooperation in new economy, entrepreneurship, tourism, and artificial intelligence

H.E. Bin Touq highlights ongoing efforts to enhance the UAE’s economic competitiveness and its position as a regional and global business hub

H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, held bilateral discussions with H.E. Éric Lombard, French Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, and H.E. Clara Chappaz, Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs of France. The meetings focused on strengthening the UAE–France economic partnership, expanding avenues for economic and investment cooperation, and opening new channels for collaboration between the business communities of both friendly nations.

These discussions took place on the sidelines of the UAE delegation’s visit to France for VivaTech 2025, an event dedicated to entrepreneurship and advanced technology, held in Paris from 11 to 14 June under the theme “New Frontiers of Innovation.”

The Minister of Economy stated that UAE–France relations represent a leading model of strategic cooperation across a wide range of sectors, driven by the vision and directives of the wise leadership in both countries. H.E. emphasized the UAE’s continued commitment to enhancing economic collaboration with its French partners, particularly in sectors of the new economy that serve as key enablers for the transition to a future-ready, knowledge-based economy. Both nations share aligned visions and strategies focused on expanding investment and cooperation in these vital areas.

H.E. Bin Touq remarked: “The meetings mark a significant step forward in reinforcing joint efforts and advancing economic and investment cooperation. The UAE serves as a strategic economic partner for France in the region, owing to its geographic advantage and global connectivity, while France remains a key economic gateway for the UAE in Europe. Today, more than 15,000 French companies operate across a wide range of economic sectors in the UAE, and approximately 18,500 French trademarks are registered in the country as of the end of May.”

H.E. continued: “Tourism is a cornerstone of our bilateral economic relations. In 2024, French tourist arrivals to UAE totaled 648,704, reflecting a 15 per cent increase compared to 2023. In the first quarter of 2025, the UAE received 245,269 French visitors, facilitated by 49 weekly flights operated by national carriers between the two countries.”

H.E. Bin Touq’s meeting with H.E. Éric Lombard focused on exploring new mechanisms to strengthen communication channels between the UAE and France, with the goal of unlocking promising avenues for partnership in light of the significant and diverse economic opportunities available in both markets. The discussions also addressed ways to enhance facilitation measures and provide additional incentives for exporters in both countries.

The meeting saw the exchange of expertise on the development of flexible economic policies, emphasizing their critical role in driving sustainable economic growth. In this context, H.E. Bin Touq outlined the UAE’s ongoing efforts to modernize and enhance its economic legislation to reinforce the country’s competitiveness and its position as a regional and global business hub. These reforms include the issuance and refinement of key laws related to cooperatives, commercial transactions, the commercial registry, and family businesses. It also includes the granting of 100 per cent foreign ownership of companies, simplified procedures for establishing business operations, and enhanced global economic openness through strategic partnerships with targeted international markets.

Furthermore, the meeting between H.E. Bin Touq and H.E. Clara Chappaz, Minister Delegate in charge of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs, discussed potential collaboration in technology, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, cloud computing, cybersecurity, digital economy, financial technology, and entrepreneurship in the technology sector.

H.E. Bin Touq briefed the French Minister on investment enablers available to companies seeking to operate and expand in these vital sectors in the UAE, and highlighted the pivotal role of the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision in strengthening the country’s standing as a global hub for the new economy by the next decade.