ATHENS – The €4.0 billion joint investment fund agreed between Greece and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last May is expected to attract significant investment interest from the UAE in multiple sectors including renewable energy sources, infrastructure, agriculture, technology, healthcare and life sciences , UAE Economy Minister Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri said in an interview with Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA) on the occasion of his presence in Thessaloniki as head of the Emirati delegation at the 86th TIF.
He explained that the two countries have collaborated on various bilateral and multilateral initiatives that have strengthened their ties, including the joint declaration on the Strategic Partnership in 2020 and the creation of a €4.0 billion fund for investments in Greece Economy Visit of the Greek Prime Minister to Abu Dhabi last May. This joint fund highlights the growing economic ties between the two countries and will lead to significant investment interest in Greece, including in all targeted sectors such as renewable energy (RES), infrastructure, agriculture, technology, healthcare and life sciences, he said. In conclusion, Al Mari noted that he believes there is scope to strengthen investment cooperation and create new opportunities for the business community in both countries.
When asked about their expectations for their participation in the TIF, he replied that this important international event offers both countries a valuable opportunity to strengthen their existing bilateral ties by exploring opportunities in a number of new economic sectors.
The 60 or so institutions and companies present at TIF from September 9 are ready to enter into partnerships with Greek and European companies in any area of common interest, the minister added.
The Emirati delegation, he added, is in Thessaloniki and Greece in general to explore the best possible means to transform investment opportunities into mutually beneficial and concrete projects, but also to improve bilateral trade and economic ties in different sectors and so as to promote sustainable and inclusive development. “Leading international trade fairs like the TIF offer an excellent opportunity for this,” he emphasized.
He also stressed the prospects that could open up for cooperation between the two countries in the fields of technology and future industries at a time when the UAE is trying to strengthen its position as an innovation center and “brain hub” internationally (the country has recently appointed a deputy minister in charge of artificial intelligence) to attract human talent from around the world, open its economy more to entrepreneurs and investors, but also double its size by 2030.
According to the Emirati official, the UAE government’s new economic approach, characterized by the principles of flexibility, sustainability, openness and predictability, is a great opportunity for Greek companies to gain a foothold in the UAE market and expand from there in the rest of the MENA region (Middle East/North Africa), South Asia and Africa.
