Abu Dhabi:A high-level business roundtable was held in Abu Dhabi, bringing together senior officials and business leaders from the UAE and the Free State of Bavaria, Germany. The event, hosted by Fahad Al Gergawi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Foreign Trade, included a delegation led by Dr. Markus Söder, Minister-President of Bavaria, and took place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
According to Wam, the roundtable aimed to explore new opportunities for trade, investment, and private-sector collaboration between the UAE and Bavaria. Participants included senior government officials, business leaders, and representatives from chambers of commerce. The program featured opening remarks, introductions by various representatives, and closing remarks by Al Gergawi and Dr. Söder.
The discussions highlighted the shared commitment of both regions to innovation and private-sector-led growth. Al Gergawi emphasized the importance of the roundtable in identifying practical opportunities and establishing partnerships that could deliver long-term value for both economies. He noted Germany's significance as one of the UAE's most important economic partners in Europe, with Bavaria offering substantial potential for deeper collaboration.
The event followed a period of increasing economic engagement between the UAE and Germany. Bilateral non-oil foreign trade reached US$15.6 billion in 2025, showing significant growth compared to previous years. The roundtable also built on the outcomes of previous economic forums, identifying areas for expanded cooperation, such as energy, advanced technology, industry, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Dr. Söder expressed Bavaria's interest in strengthening links with the UAE, citing Bavaria's capabilities in industry and technology and the UAE's role as a global trade platform. The UAE delegation included representatives from various chambers, companies, and business councils, while the Bavarian delegation featured senior state officials and the German Ambassador to the UAE, Tobias Tunkel.
The roundtable underscored the commitment of both sides to transforming high-level engagements into tangible outcomes for the private sector, further solidifying the UAE-Germany relationship.