UAE delegation heads to India with trade deal under focus

A high-profile UAE delegation will visit India on Wednesday to explore partnerships based on a major trade deal that came into effect at the start of May.

The two sides will look at ways to maximise the benefits of the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, or CEPA.

Discussions will be held with ministers, senior officials and private sector leaders.

The visit will also aim to lay down sustainable mechanisms that empower the business community in both countries.

Sectors such as industrial production, civil aviation, financial services, ICT, food security, transport and infrastructure will be high on the agenda.

Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, will lead the delegation, which includes representatives of 41 government and private entities.

India was the second-largest trading partner of the UAE in 2021.

It accounted for 9% of the total volume of the UAE's trade with the world, and 13% of the UAE's non-oil exports, while the non-oil foreign trade between the two countries in 2021 reached AED165 billion, a growth of 66% compared to 2020.