Abu DHABI, UAE – The Minister of Foreign Trade, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zayoudi, welcomed the Minister of European and International Affairs of Austria, Bayat Meinl-Reisinger, and her accompanying delegation of business leaders and executives.
This took place during a business roundtable meeting with the participation of representatives of the two countries.
It aims to enhance cooperation within the private sector between Emirati and Austrian companies and advance bilateral economic relations.
The meeting comes in the wake of the first Emirati-Austrian business session, which was held last November.
This demonstrates the two countries’ commitment to accelerating the growth of trade and investment flows between them.
During the UAE-Austria business meeting, Al Zayoudi highlighted Austria’s importance as a strategic partner in the European Union.
He pointed out that the value of non-oil trade between the UAE and Austria increased by 15.8% in 2025 to reach $2.1 billion (7.7 billion dirhams).
Al-Zayoudi said: «Our partnership with Austria continues to develop, providing promising opportunities for trade and investment that achieve the interests of both countries. By sponsoring cooperation within the private sector, we open new horizons of mutual benefits within sectors including technology, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing.»
In turn, Bayat Meinl-Reisinger stressed that the UAE is Austria’s most important trading partner in the GCC countries, and a very important strategic partner. From this standpoint, my official visit to the country, accompanied by a delegation of businessmen, comes to consolidate these extended relations.
She said: «I discussed with Dr. Thani Al-Zayoudi ways to increase the volume of trade exchange and enhance economic cooperation in various fields.
Among them are artificial intelligence and sustainability, and we also reviewed the latest developments in the negotiations of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the UAE».
