The United Arab Emirates has significantly strengthened its economic partnership with Belarus, with UAE investments in the country now exceeding $4 billion and spanning key sectors such as defence, technology, hospitality, and urban development.
During the opening of the Minsk International Exhibition Centre, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, highlighted the UAE’s position among the top three investors in Belarus. He described the evolving relationship as a strategic alliance marked by a qualitative leap in bilateral cooperation.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi underscored growing Emirati interest in Belarus’s food and industrial sectors, citing the Eastern European nation's strong production capabilities and skilled workforce as major draws. He pointed to these areas as promising avenues for future integration and innovation.
The minister also announced the completion of negotiations for a free trade agreement on goods with the Eurasian Economic Union, with the signing expected soon in Minsk. In parallel, a bilateral agreement on services and investment is nearing finalisation, currently undergoing legal review.
Emphasising the momentum of this partnership, Al Zeyoudi called for deeper institutional and sectoral collaboration, including the formation of business delegations, councils, and a new session of the joint economic committee scheduled for later this year.
The newly inaugurated Minsk International Exhibition Centre, developed with Emirati investment, marks the initial phase of the Northern Waterfront project—an ambitious smart economic city aimed at boosting tourism and technological investment. According to Al Zeyoudi, the initiative reflects the UAE’s growing footprint in global markets and its long-term vision for sustainable international economic engagement.
This enhanced cooperation signals a new chapter in UAE-Belarus relations, built on mutual growth, shared opportunities, and expanding global influence.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
