In a significant move to strengthen international ties, Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder is embarking on a four-day visit to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, starting Sunday, November 1, 2026. Initially, he had plans to also visit Saudi Arabia as part of a broader foreign policy narrative inspired by “One Thousand and One Nights.” However, this leg of the trip was scrapped at the last minute due to escalating tensions in the region, particularly violent clashes between Houthi forces and Saudi Arabia since September.
“Bavaria is reaching out to the Arab world. The UAE and Qatar are vital partners for our state in the Middle East,” Söder stated to the German Press Agency in Munich before the commencement of his trip. His discussions during the visit will focus on key sectors such as economy, investment, technology, and defence. “We will engage high-level dialogue partners with a clear goal: to promote more investments and contracts that benefit the Bavarian economy. To achieve this, we are consciously expanding our international network to include partners in the Arab world as well.”
€10 Billion Investment Agreement
According to the German newspaper Die Zeit, during his visit to the UAE, Söder is set to meet with President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whom he encountered a few weeks earlier in Munich. At that meeting, Bavaria and the UAE signed an investment agreement amounting to €10 billion in Bavaria. The UAE’s total investments in Germany are projected to reach €40 billion, targeting future-oriented sectors such as aviation, aerospace, artificial intelligence, and defence.
After having to cancel a planned trip to the Gulf in April 2022 due to contracting COVID-19, Söder now faces heightened expectations. “We want to swiftly initiate the promised €10 billion investment agreement to benefit the Bavarian economy,” he affirmed. “We are now commencing the implementation process between Arab investors and Bavarian companies.” The investment discussions will focus not only on artificial intelligence and aerospace but also on renewable energy and agricultural technology. “The UAE is already our biggest trading partner in the region, and we have maintained an exchange relationship with them for many years.”
In 2025, the trade volume between Bavaria and the UAE was approximately €1.65 billion, showing a robust upward trend over the years. The trade balance is significantly influenced by Bavarian exports to the UAE, with key exports including automobiles, electrical engineering, machinery, and chemical products.
Focusing on Advanced Drone Systems in Qatar
The second destination of Söder’s trip, Qatar, also holds high expectations, particularly focusing on the arms sector. He noted, “The demand for Bavarian companies is increasing due to our expertise in defence technology. For instance, modern drone systems from Bavaria can significantly enhance security, especially in times of crises and global conflicts.”
As Iran has launched multiple missile and drone attacks targeting the UAE and Qatar in recent months, the demand for the latest military technologies has surged in both countries. Additionally, Ukraine has been relying on Bavarian-manufactured air defence systems and armed unmanned systems.
In comments reported by the German magazine Stern, Söder emphasised, “This visit demonstrates our solidarity with our Gulf partners during these turbulent times exacerbated by Iranian activities. We stand by those nations that are under attack.” He further observed, “The region views our visit positively, especially at this critical juncture. We are committed to building a reliable partnership.”
“Companies are showing immense interest in the Gulf region, and investment opportunities from both countries are enormous. Bavaria possesses the technical expertise and products that are in demand there,” Söder summarised the situation before his journey. Bavaria is renowned as a global hub for advancements in artificial intelligence, aerospace, robotics, mechanical engineering, energy technology, and defence, making it a strong player on the international stage.
Economic Transformation in Bavaria
Looking ahead, Söder sees these emerging economic sectors as a perfect complement to traditional industries such as automotive and mechanical engineering. “Bavaria’s economic policy is focused on transformation and promoting future technologies.” He highlighted that demand is already high, particularly in defence technology and cybersecurity. “These new technological domains provide excellent job opportunities for the future.”
On Human Rights, Söder Resists External Lecturing
As is customary with German political visits to the region, human rights issues are expected to arise. However, Söder has stated that he does not wish to approach the situation as if delivering moral lessons. “Change through dialogue and partnership is more effective than external advice,” he remarked. He pointed out that discussions surrounding the FIFA World Cup have already initiated some initial changes. “The issue of human rights is always present. While opinions may differ, it is crucial that we maintain continuous dialogue and achieve improvements through shared interests.”