On Wednesday 2 May, Prime Minister Māris Kučinskis met with Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Minister of Economy of the United Arab Emirates in Rīga.
The focus of the meeting was on economic relations. The Prime Minister emphasized that the Latvian entrepreneurs are interested in exporting their products to the UAE, especially in the food industry and wood processing industry. The importance of cooperation in the field of investment, especially in the field of information technology, was also highlighted.
“We have opted for the concept Data Driven Nation, which means that we need many highly qualified specialists. I believe that good cooperation in this field between the UAE and the Riga Technical University could be developed in the future," said M. Kučinskis.
The issues relating to the development of the Rail Baltica project and the infrastructure were also discussed.
The two parties agreed that it is necessary to deal more efficiently with the matters relating to investment protection within the framework of cooperation between Latvia and the UAE. The officials also expressed interest in cooperation in the fields of energy, trade, tourism, ICT, as well as transport and logistics.
M. Kučinskis also welcomed the fact that a business delegation from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce will arrive to Rīga already next week.
“I am convinced that these contacts will significantly contribute to the promotion of contacts between the Latvian and UAE entrepreneurs,” said M. Kučinskis.
The UAE is the most important trading partner of Latvia in the Gulf region. In 2017, the total turnover of trade in goods between Latvia and the UAE has increased by 30.3%.
Latvia has applied for participation in the international exhibition EXPO 2020 Dubai to be held from 20 October 2020 to 10 April 2021 in the UAE, Dubai. The central theme of the exhibition: “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”.
Andrejs Vaivars
Prime Minister’s Office
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister
Mob.: 29228678
E-mail: Andrejs.Vaivars@mk.gov.lv