Minister of Economy visits China pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai

China is the UAE’s largest global trade partner

H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, visited the People's Republic of China pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, located in the Opportunity District under the theme “Building a community with a shared future for mankind.”

During the visit, the Minister of Economy emphasized the pivotal role played by Expo 2020 Dubai in attracting companies and businesses to the UAE, enhancing its trade and investment position, and consolidating its role as a distinct destination on the global economic landscape. He added that Expo 2020 Dubai provides visiting delegations, experts, companies, businessmen, and investors from all over the world with an opportunity to learn more about the leading trade and investment environment in the country and the advantages and incentives it offers. The global event is also an opportunity for them to learn about the UAE’s highly developed infrastructure, both physical and digital, its ambitious plans for the future, its numerous opportunities, and its importance as an increasingly important destination for talent, competencies, creative minds, innovators, and leading ideas and projects.

H.E. Bin Touq further explained that Expo 2020 Dubai is a unique experience, bringing together the nations of the world in one place, inspiring all to cooperate to build a better future for humanity under the theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.” The coming together of 192 countries, as well as international organizations, foundations, and companies, will provide an opportunity for all to establish new relations and links, work together based on shared interests, deal with current and future challenges, as well as do business, deals, and develop economic relations.

During the visit, H.E. Bin Touq was briefed on the innovation and technology events hosted by the China pavilion, testing of fifth-generation networks, artificial intelligence, and smart travel. He also learned more about the Chinese culture, its ancient history, and China’s latest achievements in areas such as space exploration, information technology and artificial intelligence, as well as its vision for a better life for humanity.

The China pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai symbolizes hope and a bright future, and is designed to blend Chinese and Western cultures, with a focus on Chinese culture. The pavilion also combines civilizational, cultural, technological, and other aspects, and hosts  many events and presentations related to culture and folklore.

China is the UAE’s largest global trade partner with more than 25% growth in non-oil trade between the two countries during the H1 2021, compared to the first half of 2020, and 17% compared to the H1 2019. In H1 2021, the trade volume reached about AED 103 billion, while in the last year it came close to AED 175 billion, with China accounting for 12% of the UAE’s total non-oil foreign trade in 2020. In terms of investment, the value of Chinese foreign direct investment to the UAE was nearly AED 20 billion by the end of 2019. China ranks third in terms of the value of the country's inward investment stock, accounting for about 16% of total investment flows to the UAE during the period 2015-2019, with a value exceeding AED 12 billion. Meanwhile, the UAE is among the top 20 global markets and the number one Arab investor in China as of the end of 2019. The UAE’s investments in China amount to nearly AED 30 billion.