In a recent meeting held in Singapore, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, engaged with Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, alongside Minister of Energy and Industry Tan See Leng, to explore avenues for enhancing trade and investment cooperation between the two nations. This gathering underscored the commitment of both countries to expand their partnership and leverage emerging economic opportunities, thereby fostering greater integration between their business communities.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
The meeting, attended by Dr. Abdel Nasser Jamal Al-Shali, UAE Ambassador to Singapore, focused on several key topics of mutual interest, including the development of bilateral relations and the expansion of trade and investment cooperation. Discussions highlighted the importance of enhancing partnerships and sharing knowledge and expertise, which are essential for sustainable economic growth. The participants also explored ways to encourage businesses and investors in both countries to capitalise on available investment opportunities and turn them into actionable projects that benefit their shared interests, thus reinforcing the role of the private sector in economic collaboration.
A Commitment to Economic Growth
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi emphasised that the relationship between the UAE and Singapore is built on solid foundations of cooperation and partnership, with ongoing developments across various sectors, notably trade and investment. He reiterated both nations’ dedication to broadening their horizons of collaboration and seizing available opportunities to enhance mutual interests.
“The two countries have promising opportunities to bolster partnership among their business communities,” said Dr. Al Zeyoudi. He stressed the importance of empowering the private sector, facilitating trade and investment flows, and exchanging knowledge and expertise to support economic growth and create new opportunities for companies and investors.
Future Collaboration and Engagement
Moreover, Dr. Al Zeyoudi reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to advancing its economic partnership with Singapore and enhancing cooperation in priority sectors. This collaboration is crucial for adapting to changes in the global economy and promoting more diverse and sustainable trade and investment relations that serve the interests of both countries and their peoples.
During this visit, Dr. Al Zeyoudi conducted a series of meetings with private sector representatives in Singapore, which included investors, business leaders, and representatives from various economic institutions. These meetings focused on ways to strengthen trade and investment cooperation, foster mutual investments, and identify new areas for partnership between the business sectors of both nations, acknowledging the private sector as a key driver of economic growth and market integration.
Exploring Investment Opportunities
The discussions also covered mechanisms for capitalising on investment opportunities and the potential offered by both markets, alongside sharing experiences and best practices, which will facilitate the growth of economic and trade relations and open new avenues for cooperation and investment.
Notably, the non-oil trade volume between the UAE and Singapore reached USD 6.54 billion in 2025, reflecting a robust annual growth rate of 25.3% from USD 5.2 billion in 2024. The UAE has established itself as Singapore’s largest trading partner in the Middle East, with direct investments exceeding USD 5.12 billion from the UAE to Singapore between 2021 and 2025. Additionally, approximately 230 Singaporean companies have established a presence in the UAE, focusing on sectors such as real estate, hospitality, tourism, energy, telecommunications, transport, and storage.