Government

H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, held high-level talks in Paris with H.E. Éric Lombard, French Minister of Economy, Finance, Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, and H.E. Nathalie Delattre, Minister Delegate for Tourism, to explore new avenues for strengthening bilateral economic and tourism relations.

The meeting focused on expanding cooperation in key sectors including tourism, investment, innovation, fintech, circular economy, and entrepreneurship, underscoring both countries’ shared commitment to fostering sustainable economic development and deepening long-standing partnerships.

H.E. Bin Touq highlighted that the UAE-France relationship represents one of the region’s most advanced models of economic collaboration, built on shared goals and complementary strengths. “This meeting served as a valuable platform to broaden partnership and coordination between our nations,” he said. “By enhancing collaboration in the new economy and tourism, we aim to empower our business communities, promote mutual investments, and create new opportunities for sustainable growth.”

The Minister also outlined the UAE’s ongoing efforts to enhance its business ecosystem through legislative reforms, simplified procedures, and incentives designed to support entrepreneurs and SMEs — enabling French companies to access promising opportunities in the UAE market.

Both sides discussed measures to strengthen partnerships between Emirati and French companies, particularly in sectors driving future economic growth such as AI, digital transformation, and smart infrastructure. The meeting also addressed the importance of developing circular economy policies, sustainable transport, and startup collaboration, recognizing innovation and entrepreneurship as essential pillars of future-ready economies.

On tourism, H.E. Bin Touq emphasized that the cooperation between the UAE and France reflects a strong and strategic relationship. He noted the UAE’s proactive efforts to expand its tourism infrastructure and launch new sustainable initiatives that promote eco-friendly, high-quality travel experiences, while deepening cultural and economic exchange with France.

The discussions explored ways to boost bilateral travel, expand joint tourism programs, and enhance collaboration in green tourism and international events, aiming to reinforce tourism as a key pillar of economic and cultural partnership.

Growing UAE-French relations
The UAE and France continue to witness robust growth in bilateral economic activity. The UAE currently hosts over 15,000 commercial licenses involving French citizens across various sectors. By May 2025, the number of registered French trademarks in the UAE reached 18,500, reaffirming the UAE’s position as a preferred hub for French enterprises.

Tourism ties have also strengthened notably, with 648,704 French visitors recorded in 2024 — a 15% increase compared to 2023. In the first quarter of 2025, the UAE welcomed 245,269 French tourists, supported by 58 direct weekly flights between the two nations, facilitating continued growth in mutual travel and tourism exchange.

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