Abu Dhabi Economic Delegation Signs Agreements To Enhance Trade And Investment Ties With The United States

An economic delegation from Abu Dhabi, led by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), has strengthened trade and investment ties with the United States. During a three-day visit to New York, agreements were signed with key business, financial, and technology entities. The focus was on enhancing cooperation in sectors like startups, digital infrastructure, new energy, advanced manufacturing, and financial services.

The delegation was headed by Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADDED. It included over 100 senior representatives from both government and private sectors. Notable figures were Ghannam Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) Group; Hamad Sayah Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of ADDED; Badr Al Olama, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO); Rashed Lahej Al Mansoori, Director General of Abu Dhabi Customs; and Shamis Al Dhaheri, Second Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In 2024, trade between the UAE and the US increased by 8.5% to USD 34.4 billion. This growth solidified the UAE's status as the largest US trading partner in the Middle East. Trade activities spanned all 50 US states and supported over 184,000 jobs. The commitment to invest $1.4 trillion in the US economy over the next decade focuses on AI development, infrastructure, energy, advanced manufacturing, technology innovation, space exploration, and aviation.

The delegation participated in more than 40 meetings with top government officials and key investors. Senior officials also attended the ADX Investor Conference in New York. Organised by ADX in collaboration with Morgan Stanley, this event featured 15 major listed companies from Abu Dhabi with a combined market capitalisation exceeding USD 300 billion. Over 100 one-on-one meetings took place with leading U.S. institutional investors managing assets worth more than USD 10 billion.

The Abu Dhabi Investment Forum (ADIF) in New York was organised alongside ADIO and ADGM. It provided a platform for senior executives and institutional investors to explore new bilateral partnership opportunities through panel discussions on high-growth sectors in Abu Dhabi.

A Family Business roundtable was organised by the Abu Dhabi Chamber along with the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU). This event highlighted ongoing economic transformation in Abu Dhabi while showcasing investment opportunities that reinforce its role as a global business hub.

Expanding Partnerships

High-level meetings were held between leading Emirati family businesses and American companies across various industries such as technology, clean energy logistics manufacturing real estate infrastructure finance food industry among others strengthening channels for investment knowledge exchange long-term cooperation.

Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi stated: "We are proud of our strong evolving partnership with United States This visit enabled us build more collaborative initiatives harness new trends mega shifts technological transformations witnessed global economy." He added: "This steady impressive growth reflects depth strength cooperation US remain committed enhance further enabling businesses investors grow thrive expand."

Over five decades fruitful cooperation have seen trade investment ties between two nations continue upward trajectory In past five years non-oil trade grew by 28.4% while US companies starting business witnessed CAGR increase of 52.9%. Mutual investments are expanding supercharging growth across various sectors creating thousands jobs.

With inputs from WAM