4th meeting of the joint German-UAE economic commission

Main topics were bilateral trade, joint industrial projects, tourism and technical cooperation, particularly in the health sector, the protection of the environment and vocational training.

The German delegation also had talks in the UAE foreign ministry, the Dubai department of tourism and the Jebel Ali free zone authority. German representatives paid tribute to the fact that the UAE is the most dynamic economy in the Gulf region and continues its efforts to boost the efficiency and diversification of the economy. This is accompanied by a liberal trade regime, free currency exchange and a resolute promotion of the private sector.

Both sides agreed to step up cooperation in a number of selected fields. Greater efforts are to be made to reduce the severe UAE balance of trade deficit. Important tools for improving the situation will be intensified marketing and market research, the exchange of business delegations and participation in trade fairs and exhibitions. The delegate office of the German economy in Dubai will initiate workshops in Germany for promoting UAE exports to Germany.

Germany pledged an increased commitment in the energy, oil and gas sectors, the construction industry as well as industrial services and maintenance.

The UAE asked German business to settle in larger numbers in the various free zones, making better use of the opportunities created by new laws on investment promotion and protection and the avoidance of double taxation.

It was noted that the UAE regards tourism a decisive factor of their economic future, with huge investments being planned in the next few years. With 140,000 visitors in 2001, Germany came second after the UK for visitors to the country.

The UAE is particularly interested in stepping up technical cooperation, which currently is mainly provided by Germany's GTZ organisation. A list of proposals was drawn up by the commission for joint projects in agriculture, environmental engineering, in education and vocational training. For the health sector, the commission agreed on the education of paramedical personnel, the post-gradual training of physicians and on cooperation in the field of telemedicine.