The UAE-India Business Forum is set to commence tomorrow in Mumbai, focusing on strengthening economic ties between the UAE and India. Organized by the UAE Ministry of Economy in partnership with the UAE Embassy in New Delhi and India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, this forum marks an important step in expanding bilateral trade relationships, particularly beyond the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that came into effect in May 2022.
This event will gather an influential group of government officials, business leaders, and industry professionals. Key sectors under discussion include healthcare, biotechnology, renewable energy, sustainability, artificial intelligence, and logistics. The forum is expected to provide a platform for businesses from both countries to explore new partnership opportunities that align with their national growth and diversification agendas.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, emphasized the significance of this event, noting that it offers a vital platform for exploring new synergies, building networks, and developing mutually beneficial collaborations. The forum’s theme, “Beyond CEPA: Innovation and Future-Ready Economies,” reflects the ongoing efforts to foster innovation in industries like AI and biotechnology, which have seen growing interest from both sides.
The UAE and India have enjoyed steadily increasing non-oil trade, which reached USD 28.2 billion in the first half of 2024, marking a 9.8% rise compared to the same period in 2023. This robust growth contrasts with declining global trade figures, making the UAE-India economic partnership an exceptional case of resilience. The CEPA, which removed or reduced tariffs on over 80% of traded goods, has been instrumental in boosting industrial output, enhancing global competitiveness, and fostering job creation across both nations.
During the forum, one of the key sessions, “Healthcare and Biotechnology: Pioneering the Future of Medicine,” will delve into how the two nations can leverage CEPA to create new partnerships in genomic medicine, AI-driven healthcare, digital health solutions, and pharmaceutical research. This session aligns with the growing focus on health tech innovation in both countries.
