H.E. Bin Touq Meets Andhra Pradesh Leadership to Strengthen UAE-India Collaboration in New Economy and Food Sectors
On the sidelines of the Investopia Global Talks in Andhra Pradesh, H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of Investopia, held high-level bilateral meetings with key Indian leaders to enhance collaboration in priority economic sectors.
The meetings included discussions with H.E. N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh; H.E. T. G. Bharath, Minister of Industries, Commerce, and Food Processing; H.E. Nara Lokesh, Minister of Information Technology; and H.E. R. Mukundan, President-designate of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and CEO of Tata Chemicals Limited.
The dialogue focused on deepening cooperation across the new economy, agriculture, food processing, fintech, green and circular economy, innovation, SMEs, and entrepreneurship.
Advancing UAE-India Economic Partnership
H.E. Bin Touq reaffirmed the strength of the UAE–India strategic partnership, emphasizing that both nations are aligned in their vision for sustainable economic development.
“India remains a key economic and investment partner for the UAE. These meetings offer new opportunities to expand cooperation, unlock joint ventures, and create long-term growth,” he said.
He noted that Andhra Pradesh's strategic location, strong export capacity, and agricultural strength make it an ideal partner for UAE companies. Several major UAE firms, including DP World, Sharaf Group, Tabreed, and Lulu Group, already operate in the state, underscoring existing economic ties.
National Development and Sustainable Models
In the meeting with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, discussions centered on national policies for transitioning to sustainable and adaptive economic models. Both parties emphasized leveraging modern legislation and regulatory frameworks to attract investment in emerging sectors, while using Investopia as a platform to foster connections between UAE and Indian business communities.
The talks also highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s role in hosting Investopia Global Talks, underlining its value in promoting joint opportunities across sectors like technology, renewable energy, food security, and digital transformation.
Developing a Unified Food Ecosystem
During discussions with H.E. T. G. Bharath, the two sides explored the UAE’s initiative to develop an integrated economic food cluster that brings together agricultural production, food industries, and advanced agritech. The goal is to improve economic resilience, increase private sector participation, and create sustainable food systems.
Driving Digital Transformation
In a separate meeting with H.E. Nara Lokesh, Minister for IT, both parties discussed the role of digital transformation in enhancing innovation, competitiveness, and business efficiency. They agreed on the need to invest in modern digital infrastructure that empowers startups and supports the growth of the digital economy in both countries.
Public-Private Sector Synergies
H.E. Bin Touq also met with H.E. R. Mukundan of CII to identify ways to strengthen public-private partnerships in industry, innovation, technology, food, and SME development. The meeting underscored the role of SMEs and entrepreneurship in driving bilateral growth and emphasized the importance of ongoing dialogue between government institutions and business communities.
The UAE and India continue to advance a shared vision for a resilient and inclusive economic future, with initiatives like Investopia offering a practical framework for driving investment, cooperation, and innovation in vital economic sectors.
