In a significant move to bolster economic ties, the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry has signed a cooperation agreement with the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the United Arab Emirates. This partnership aims to deepen economic, investment, and trade relations between Abu Dhabi and France while creating a more integrated economic framework to connect the business communities of both regions.

The agreement was formalised during the second edition of the Emirati-French Business Forum, themed “Horizons of Artificial Intelligence,” and held at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi. This event was backed by the Abu Dhabi Chamber and saw participation from prominent decision-makers, investors, entrepreneurs, technology leaders, and academics from the UAE, France, Europe, and the Middle East.

The newly signed agreement reflects the strong economic relations between the UAE and France, supporting initiatives to convert collaborative synergies into tangible business opportunities, investments, joint projects, and practical economic programmes. This aligns with Abu Dhabi’s economic priorities, seeking to build a diverse and competitive economy grounded in knowledge, innovation, and advanced technology.

Spanning various areas of collaboration, the agreement includes the organisation of business forums, conferences, roundtable discussions, and workshops, as well as facilitating trade missions and official delegations. These efforts are aimed at enabling productive exchanges between businesses and investors from Abu Dhabi and France.

Ali Mohamed Al Marzouqi, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated: “We aim to empower companies of all sizes to participate in an economy that is enhanced and supported by artificial intelligence, leveraging the opportunities it presents. This illustrates our role in advancing Abu Dhabi’s economic aspirations towards promising prospects and providing the private sector with opportunities to grow and expand into global markets. The cooperation agreement with the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the UAE establishes a more integrated framework between our institutions, promoting joint business initiatives and cooperation in priority economic sectors.”

Al Marzouqi further added, “We look forward to transforming collaboration between the business communities in Abu Dhabi and France into joint projects, investments, and dynamic business experiences, providing practical solutions that respond to the growing opportunities in key economic sectors. The Abu Dhabi Chamber remains committed to enabling companies to seize new opportunities, develop future capabilities, and forge necessary partnerships for growth and prosperity.”

Agnès Lopez Cruz, Director of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the UAE, remarked: “This agreement is a product of UAE-French relations, providing a practical framework to enhance communication between business communities and connect companies with available opportunities in both markets. We aim to highlight the distinctive economic and commercial features of both sides, creating viable investment opportunities and encouraging collaboration and joint projects between entities in the UAE and France.”

The agreement places special emphasis on future sectors, including entrepreneurship, small and medium-sized enterprises, innovation, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and sustainability. It also facilitates companies’ participation in international exhibitions, conferences, and business platforms that are organised or jointly agreed upon by both parties.

These initiatives resonate with Abu Dhabi’s rapid efforts to establish itself as a global hub for the digital economy and innovation. The emirate is advancing through its Digital Government Strategy 2025–2027, aiming to become the global leader in the adoption of artificial intelligence across various digital services by 2027, supported by a growing ecosystem that unites scientific research, advanced technology, investment, talent, and the business sector.