H.E. Bin Touq takes part in 'Invest Kerala Global Summit,' reviews promising investment opportunities in the UAE's new economy sectors

Summit serves as vital platform to enhance trade and investment partnerships, unlocking opportunities in UAE and Indian markets

H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, attended the latest edition of the 'Invest Kerala Global Summit’, which took place in the South Indian state of Kerala. The Summit brought together high-ranking officials, business leaders, and global investors to explore the role of sustainable technology and innovation in shaping future economies. It also sought to identify new investment opportunities in key development areas, thus supporting economic expansion and attracting FDI flows.

H.E. highlighted the deep-rooted bilateral relations between the UAE and India, characterized by decades-long trade and economic partnerships across priority sectors. He noted that both countries, guided by their leaderships’ vision, have aligned strategies focused on fostering sustainable and new economic sectors.

H.E. Bin Touq stated: "Our economic cooperation with India continues to witness steady growth. In 2024 alone, more than 41,600 new Indian business licenses were issued in the UAE, taking the total number of Indian business licenses in the country to over 247,000 by the end of last year. These businesses operate across a wide range of economic and commercial activities. Moreover, India remains one of the largest source markets for tourism to the UAE, with over two million Indian tourists visiting the country annually, reflecting the depth and strength of our bilateral economic relations.”

H.E. Bin Touq said that the Summit serves as a dynamic platform to foster trade and investment partnerships and leverage available opportunities to shape a more prosperous and sustainable economic future for both nations. Elaborating on the investment landscapes of the UAE and Kerala, the Minister of Economy said: "Both economies provide an investor-friendly environment built on innovation and sustainability, paving the way for stronger economic and trade cooperation."

In his speech at the Summit, H.E. added: "The UAE stands as one of the most attractive global investment destinations, thanks to its flexible regulatory framework, world-class infrastructure, and tailored investment incentives that promote entrepreneurship and innovation. Moreover, the UAE is actively strengthening its international partnerships in vital industries such as renewable energy, advanced technology, financial services, and space, while also driving strategic initiatives in food security and transportation, unlocking new avenues for UAE-India business collaboration in the years ahead."

The Minister of Economy highlighted Kerala’s strategic location along the Indian Ocean, coupled with its advanced infrastructure and skilled workforce, which make it an attractive destination for international investors. He pointed out that the state offers promising opportunities in sectors such as sustainable technology, healthcare, tourism, fintech, food security, water management, transportation, and energy, which also aligns with the UAE’s vision to diversify its economy and foster new avenues for collaboration at the private sector level.

H.E. urged the Indian business community to capitalize on the UAE’s investor-friendly environment and strengthen collaborations with its private sector, which  boasts a strong global footprint, enhanced competitiveness, and extensive experience in executing large-scale projects across strategic industries.

Furthermore, H.E. Bin Touq highlighted the UAE-India joint space project under the ‘I2U2 initiative’, which aims to develop cutting-edge technological solutions to tackle environmental and climate challenges, reflecting the depth of economic and technological cooperation between the two nations.

During the visit to the South Indian state, H.E. also attended the opening ceremony of the Calicut Health Center, where he was briefed on the latest digital innovations and advanced medical technologies. He emphasized that healthcare is now a pivotal sector within the global economy, witnessing rapid advancements fueled by technology and innovation. This transformation positions it as an attractive investment domain and enables it to play a vital role in economic expansion, sustainability, and the evolution of modern economies by driving job creation, stimulating R&D, and improving overall quality of life.