UAE and Portugal explore ways to enhance cooperation in civil aviation, tourism, clean energy & advanced technology
The discussions took place on the sidelines of the fourth ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) 2025, organized by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) from February 10 to 12, 2025, in Abu Dhabi. The meeting explored opportunities for cooperation in shared priority sectors, including aviation, clean and renewable energy, the new economy, advanced technology, investment, digital sectors, healthcare, infrastructure, tourism, and modern agriculture.
H.E. Bin Touq emphasized the rapid expansion of UAE-Portuguese economic relations, highlighting the wealth of opportunities to strengthen collaboration across key development sectors, particularly on economic and investment fronts. He noted that the UAE views Portugal as a dynamic and vital economy in the Eurozone and is keen to further advance economic cooperation.
H.E. pointed out that the UAE's hosting of the fourth edition of GISS solidifies its position as a regional and global leader in the civil aviation sector. The event serves as a key platform to enhance dialogue and cooperation with international stakeholders to support and advance this vital economic sector. This aligns with the UAE's vision to transition to a more resilient and sustainable economic model while also reinforcing global efforts to achieve net zero emissions from aviation by 2050.
H.E. Bin Touq said: 'The UAE remains committed to expanding its international partnerships across diverse economic sectors and strengthening cooperation with promising markets such as Portugal. Both countries have significant potential to develop high-value investment projects, particularly in new economy sectors, while also advancing global efforts to enhance the safety, security, and sustainability of civil aviation. This is especially vital as the international aviation industry works toward forging a unified global approach to alternative low-carbon fuels and accelerating their production in the years ahead.'
H.E. added: 'The UAE is steadfast in its pursuit of a dynamic, future-ready investment landscape that reinforces the attractiveness of its national economy. We remain committed to strengthening strategic partnerships with countries around the world, in line with the objectives of the 'We the UAE 2031' vision, which aims to double the country's GDP and bolster its economic competitiveness on the global stage.'
The meeting emphasized the importance of prioritizing future collaboration and knowledge exchange across key economic sectors of shared interest, including the integration of AI technologies into civil aviation, tourism, and hospitality. It also explored opportunities to expand investments in renewable energy, circular and green economies, and knowledge sharing in innovation and fintech, while fostering deeper private sector partnerships. Additionally, it underscored the need to enhance tourism cooperation, increase investments in the hospitality sector, and accelerate the development of smart and modern agriculture projects, as well as sustainability and circular economy sectors.
-Ends-
For further information, please contact:
Orient Planet Group (OPG)
Email: media@orientplanet.com
Website: www.orientplanet.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tahawul Tech
an hour ago
- Tahawul Tech
Space42, Microsoft, and Esri sign MoU to enhance mapping capabilities across Africa
Abu Dhabi — Space42, the UAE-based global AI-powered SpaceTech company, part of technology group G42, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Microsoft and Esri to deliver high-resolution, scalable base maps across all 54 African countries, serving over 1.4 billion people. Known as the 'Map Africa Initiative,' the project will create the most comprehensive base map of the continent to date, addressing challenges in infrastructure, investment, and institutional gaps. The updated mapping system will catalyze economic development through increased access to intelligent solutions that support governments, businesses, and communities. The five-year collaboration aims to strengthen geospatial capabilities across Africa and the UAE, and provide precise and accessible data to national and regional stakeholders. The MoU was signed at Esri's 2025 User Conference. Hasan Al Hosani, CEO of Smart Solutions at Space42, said, 'Partnership is core to the UAE's DNA, and is central to how Space42 operates. This collaboration with Microsoft and Esri is more than technical; it's strategic. It advances Space42's business priorities, strengthens our role as a trusted partner to governments, and delivers meaningful benefits to communities across Africa. Accurate, high-quality mapping and the intelligence solutions built on it are essential for growth, resilience, and inclusive innovation. With reliable data, communities and economies prosper.' Jack Dangermond, President of Esri said, 'We are proud to support the Map Africa Initiative in partnership with Space42. Transforming satellite imagery into detailed, accurate base maps at continental scale requires advanced geospatial technology and professional production workflows. These same capabilities have supported similar national and regional mapping efforts around the world. With Map Africa, we are helping to establish a foundational resource that will drive infrastructure planning, economic growth, and sustainable development across the continent.' A Transformative Investment in Africa's Digital Future Africa's maps are fragmented, outdated, or inaccessible, leaving governments and businesses to make major decisions with inaccurate and incomplete data. The Map Africa Initiative seeks to change that by producing continent-wide geospatial data that is accurate, timely, and locally managed. The process itself is collaborative from start to finish, bringing together the complementary strengths of each organisation. Space42 will lead fundraising efforts and project management, in addition to providing satellite data through sovereign capacities and commercial partners. It will process data using AI-powered Digital Twin models to produce dynamic, use-specific outputs and lead the Research & Development roadmap for new AI models and automation of map production workflows. Esri will orchestrate base map production workflows with its GeoAI and remote sensing capabilities, while also supporting regional hubs to train local teams and build long-term capacity. Microsoft will provide the secure cloud infrastructure and AI framework through Azure to support data processing, sharing, and integration at scale. Enabling Economic Opportunity, Resilience, and Innovation The initiative is expected to unlock long-term value across multiple industries: Ports and logistics: Detailed terrain and infrastructure mapping will improve route planning, reduce inefficiencies, and support Africa's emergence as a global logistics hub. Renewable energy: Site selection models will support optimal solar and wind deployment, improving efficiency and return on investment. Security and disaster response: Governments will be better equipped to monitor borders, track natural resources, and coordinate emergency responses. Smart cities and digital economies: Accurate maps are foundational to urban planning, public services, and technology deployment. The data will be licensed to national governments, enabling ownership and long-term updating by National Mapping Agencies. Over time, the initiative will also support a new commercial ecosystem of African startups. The data will eventually be housed in G42 and Microsoft-managed data centers across the continent. Strategic positioning for Space42 For Space42, the initiative represents more than a single project. It deepens long-standing partnerships with Microsoft and Esri, expands Space42's presence in Africa, and opens new commercial opportunities in analytics, licensing, and infrastructure support. The Map Africa Initiative is a testament to Space42's position as the global partner of choice for governments seeking geospatial data at scale, serving as both a strategic proof point and a commercial gateway to new markets. Peng Xiao, Group Chief Executive Officer at G42, said, 'We believe intelligence is the foundation for societal progress, yet it remains out of reach for millions across the Global South. This partnership is a decisive step toward closing that gap. Together with our partners, we will deliver AI-powered insights that enable African nations to plan smarter, build better, and grow more sustainably and responsibly. From agricultural optimization and natural resource management to strengthening public services infrastructure and economic empowerment, this partnership will help turn data into development, and intelligence into impact.' 'G42's partnership with Microsoft represents a shared commitment to harnessing AI as a global force for good. Together, we are building the infrastructure and applications that will extend the benefits of intelligence to communities across the world, transforming lives through technology that is trusted, responsible, and inclusive.' The initiative further pushes the limits of how technological innovation can advance communities and unlock economic opportunities. Aligning with the UAE's Global Investment and Innovation Agenda The UAE is Africa's largest foreign investor, with $44 billion in capital deployed in 2024 alone, nearly matching the combined investments of the UK and China. As the UAE's national space champion, Space42 advances this agenda by exporting AI and geospatial capabilities that enable data-driven development. By expanding the UAE's space ecosystem and fostering knowledge transfer across industries, Space42's geospatial mapping capabilities play a crucial role in building a future-ready, innovation-driven economy in both the UAE and Africa. For African countries, the mapping capabilities enable smarter land use, improved disaster response, modern infrastructure planning, and the foundations for smart cities and digital economies. For the UAE, this strategic engagement opens high-growth markets, deepens diplomatic and commercial ties, and consolidates its role as a global leader in AI-enabled space solutions.
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
H.E. Bin Touq holds meetings with Andhra Pradesh CM and Ministers of Commerce, IT, and Food Processing
Meetings take place on the sidelines of Investopia Global Talks in Andhra Pradesh Abu Dhabi: H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of Investopia, held four bilateral meetings with H.E. N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh; H.E. T. G. Bharath, Minister of Industries, Commerce, and Food Processing; H.E. Nara Lokesh, Minister of Information Technology; and H.E. R. Mukundan, President‑designate of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for 2025-2026 term and CEO of Tata Chemicals Limited. The meetings aimed to enhance collaboration across priority areas such as the new economy, agriculture, food processing, fintech, the circular and green economy, innovation, entrepreneurship, and SMEs. The discussions took place on the sidelines of the Investopia Global Talks held recently in Andhra Pradesh, bringing together over 200 business leaders, investors, innovators, officials, and decision-makers from both the UAE and India. H.E. Bin Touq highlighted that the UAE and India share a comprehensive and advanced strategic partnership, aligning with the two leaderships' shared vision for sustainable economic development. H.E. emphasised that economic collaboration between the two nations continues to grow, adding further momentum to their exceptional partnership. The Minister of Economy and Tourism said: 'India is a key economic and investment partner for the UAE. We look forward to fostering fruitful cooperation and forging new partnerships with our counterparts in the Indian government, while exploring promising opportunities for the business communities in both countries across sectors of mutual interest. This will help drive sustainable growth and shared prosperity in both nations.' H.E. further added, 'India's Andhra Pradesh stands out for its strategic geographic location that connects local and global markets, its competitive strengths in agriculture and exports, and the presence of leading UAE companies across key sectors such as supply chains, food, industry, and logistics - including DP World, Sharaf, Tabreed, and Lulu. This meeting marks a significant step towards strengthening collaboration and expanding opportunities to advance public-private economic partnerships between the two nations, reinforcing integration across vital sectors that drive the growth and sustainability of both the UAE and Indian economies.' National priorities for transitioning to sustainable economic models H.E. Bin Touq's meeting with H.E. N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, discussed national development policies and priorities for transitioning to sustainable and adaptable economic models. The meeting also explored the exchange of expertise in modern economic legislation aimed at encouraging UAE and Indian business communities to invest in future economic sectors and expand into international markets, leveraging their unique strengths. Both sides underscored the significance of Andhra Pradesh hosting the Investopia Global Talks, offering a valuable platform for highlighting promising investment and economic opportunities, facilitating connectivity and communication between UAE and Indian investors, and creating new pathways for collaboration across vital sectors including technology, renewable energy, food, agriculture, and digital economies. UAE's efforts in developing economic food cluster During his meeting with H.E. T. G. Bharath, Minister for Industries, Commerce and Food Processing, H.E. bin Touq highlighted the UAE's efforts to develop a food cluster combining agricultural production, food industries, and latest agricultural technology within a unified ecosystem based on collaboration and integration. These efforts enhance the national economy's competitiveness and empower private sector companies in food sector and related activities. Strengthening cooperation on digital economy In a sperate meeting, H.E. Abdulla bin Touq and H.E. Nara Lokesh, Minister for Information Technology, explored the importance of collaborative efforts in digital economy and adopting modern technologies as key enablers of growth in vital economic sectors. Both sides emphasized that digital transformation directly contributes to building more efficient business environments and enhances innovation, competitiveness, and productivity. The Minister of Economy and Tourism also met with H.E. R. Mukundan, President‑designate of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for the 2025-2026 term, to explore avenues for enhancing economic and investment collaboration between the UAE and India. The meeting focused on strengthening public-private partnerships across innovation, industry, technology, entrepreneurship, while also discussing the means to enhance the food sector and growth of SMEs. The meeting highlighted the importance of continued dialogue between governmental entities and business communities in enhancing the food sector and enabling SMEs to play a stronger role in driving economic growth and achieving sustainable development.
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
Investopia Global launches new economy dialogues in Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh
H.E. Bin Touq: Investopia has succeeded in establishing itself as an effective platform for dialogue between the Emirati and Indian business communities, and developing economic partnerships by launching its global dialogues in 5 Indian cities Abu Dhabi: Investopia Global launched the new economy dialogues in Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh, with the aim of enhancing economic partnership between the UAE and the friendly Republic of India in future economic sectors - most notably fintech, clean energy, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, tourism, supply chains, health and food services, and entrepreneurship. The events explored modern global trends in investment and finance and their role in promoting sustainability, as well as the impact of economic and geopolitical challenges on economic growth at regional and global levels. Investopia Global editions in Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh were held in collaboration with the Indian Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board. The events were held in the presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, Chairman of Investopia; H.E. Mohammed Abdulrahman Mohammed Alhawi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Investment; Walid Hareb Al Falahi, Secretary General of the UAE International Investors Council; Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE; and Dr Mohamed Abdullah Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral. It was attended by more than 500 business leaders, investors, innovators, officials, and decision-makers from both the UAE and India. Investopia - an effective platform for dialogue between the UAE and Indian business communities H.E. Bin Touq said: 'Investopia has succeeded in establishing itself as an effective platform for dialogue between the UAE and Indian business communities and supporting the growing economic partnership between the two countries in the sectors of the new and sustainable economy. Since 2021, Investopia has launched its global dialogues in five Indian cities and states: Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh. These events served as impactful gatherings that brought together senior leaders, economic players, investors, and entrepreneurs from both sides to capitalize on promising economic and investment opportunities in both markets. Our two nations have established diverse pathways to support a shared vision for innovative and sustainable economic models, while also promoting the development of diversified economic partnerships across both the public and private sectors." UAE and India among fastest growing economies 'The economies of the UAE and India are among the fastest growing ones, as the non-oil GDP of the UAE economy grew by five per cent in 2024 compared to that of 2023, while the GDP of the Indian economy achieved a growth of 7.4 per cent in the first three months of 2025. This indicates the growing momentum of economic opportunities in both markets,' H.E. added. 267,121 Indian companies thriving in UAE markets H.E. continued: "The hosting of these events reflects the growing importance of the Indian business community as a vital economic and investment partner for the UAE. Today, over 267,121 Indian companies are actively operating across diverse sectors in the UAE market. Notably, 22,415 new Indian firms entered the UAE in the first half of 2025, a growth rate of more than 10 per cent compared to the same period last year. This surge underscores the UAE's strong appeal as a global business hub and reaffirms the deep confidence Indian investors place in our economy.' India: Top source of tourists to the UAE H.E. pointed out that tourism stands out as a cornerstone of economic collaboration between the two nations. India has established itself as the UAE's primary source of tourists, contributing 4.23 million visitors during 2024. The air connectivity between the countries continues to expand, with over 600 weekly flights operated by carriers from both nations. Speaking at the event, Dr. Jean Faris, CEO of Investopia, stated: "Investopia has emerged as a global platform with a clear vision to shape the future of investment in advanced economic sectors - both regionally and globally. Through its events and international dialogues, the platform connects ambitious capital with transformative ideas, contributing to the development of a new economy that fosters sustainable growth and enables cross-border economic and investment partnerships." He added: "The global economy is undergoing profound geopolitical and structural shifts, marked by evolving trade routes and an accelerating digital transformation. In this context, there is an urgent need to build more resilient and sustainable economic systems. Against this backdrop, we gather here in Hyderabad and the state of Andhra Pradesh to leverage the geographic and competitive advantages of both the UAE and India, forging joint visions and innovative solutions that unlock new opportunities for both business communities." Expanding avenues for economic and investment partnerships In detail, Investopia Global dialogues in Hyderabad City and Andhra Pradesh State featured a series of panel discussions and roundtable meetings that explored the evolution of cross-border economic and investment partnerships between the UAE and India, across both public and private sectors. The sessions spotlighted promising opportunities in the two countries' markets, particularly within the new economy, infrastructure, technological innovation, sustainable industries, data centers, and agri-tech. Shaping the future of UAE-India-Africa trade corridor The sessions examined the future of the UAE–India–Africa trade corridor and its critical role in creating new avenues for economic and investment integration among the three regions. The corridor empowers Emirati and Indian enterprises to forge partnerships and launch viable joint ventures in African markets. The UAE's strategic location, bridging East and West and North and South, and its position as a global logistics and financial gateway, together with India's strength as a regional and global center for production and innovation, and Africa's status as a rapidly growing and opportunity-rich emerging market, make this corridor a strategic platform for expanding cross-border and intercontinental economic activity. Accelerating startup access to global markets The dialogues underscored collaborative opportunities to nurture entrepreneurial ecosystems through venture capital funding and institutional support from accelerators such as Hub71 and T-Hub. These initiatives aim to accelerate the growth of Emirati and Indian startups and support their entry into global markets. The sessions also explored avenues for cooperation in the industrial and defense sectors under the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership, with a focus on advanced industries such as artificial intelligence, space, and automotive technologies. Discussions included the potential to establish joint industrial projects that leverage the competitive advantages of both economies. Strengthening the future of food and agricultural security in both countries The sessions reviewed opportunities to build strategic supply chains that strengthen food and agricultural security in both countries, enhance joint trade and investment flows, and improve the utilization of agricultural and export potential in the UAE and Andhra Pradesh. Discussions also addressed future urban infrastructure plans in the UAE and Hyderabad, aimed at designing more resilient and sustainable cities through the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. In addition, the sessions highlighted the vital role of tourism as both a cultural and investment bridge between the two nations, particularly in medical tourism, diverse cultural experiences, and digital tourism platforms. Besides, opportunities to foster cooperation between Emirati and Indian tourism companies were explored, along with plans to develop innovative marketing strategies and investment partnerships in the tourism sector. Stimulating investment in the bioeconomy and medical innovation The sessions focused on encouraging the UAE and Indian business communities to expand investments in the emerging bioeconomy - one of the fastest-growing and most impactful sectors for the future of sustainable development. Discussions also emphasized the importance of long-term investment in research and industrial infrastructure related to medical sciences, biotechnology, clinical innovation, and the pharmaceutical industry. These efforts aim to strengthen bilateral cooperation, enhance the competitiveness of healthcare systems in both countries, and support their transition toward smarter, technology-driven models that are efficient, future-ready, and responsive to population needs. The Investopia Global dialogues in Andhra Pradesh witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Investopia and the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB), to enhance cooperation and support the participation of a high-level delegation from the state in the fifth edition of Investopia's flagship summit, scheduled to be held in April next year in Abu Dhabi. The MoU was signed by Dr. Jean Fares, Chief Executive Officer of Investopia, and Mr. Saikanth Varma IAS, Chief Executive Officer of APEDB, in the presence of H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism; and H.E. N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
