UAE and Ireland Sign MoU to Boost Economic and Technical Cooperation, Establish Joint Economic Commission
The United Arab Emirates and Ireland have taken a major step toward strengthening bilateral relations with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on enhancing economic and technical cooperation and establishing a Joint Economic Commission. The agreement was signed by His Excellency Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Her Excellency Niamh Smyth, Ireland's Minister for Trade Promotion, AI, and Digital Transformation.
The MoU aims to deepen collaboration across a broad spectrum of sectors, including trade and investment, renewable energy, infrastructure, green and digital economy, healthcare technology, supply chain resilience, and food security. It provides a comprehensive framework for bilateral economic engagement, encouraging joint ventures, exchange of market intelligence, and promotion of two-way trade and investment.
Highlighting the significance of the partnership, HE Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi stated:
“The relationship between the UAE and Ireland is one of mutual respect and shared ambition. With a foundation built on trade and cooperation, we are well-positioned to explore new avenues for investment and collaboration. The signing of this MoU is a testament to our commitment to enhancing bilateral relations and unlocking the significant potential that exists between our two countries.”
HE Niamh Smyth praised the UAE's warm welcome and highlighted the signing as a meaningful milestone, coinciding with 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations:
“The Joint Economic Commission will give a new forum for further collaboration in areas such as trade and investment, aviation, education and research, renewable energy and green technology, healthcare and life sciences. Once fully established, it will strengthen Ireland’s partnership with one of the most dynamic economies in the world.”
The agreement also encourages increased participation in international exhibitions, conferences, and seminars, while working to remove barriers to economic cooperation. The Joint Economic Commission will facilitate business delegation visits, support cross-border collaboration, and promote a favorable investment climate.
The growing economic partnership is reflected in the increase in non-oil trade between the UAE and Ireland, which reached USD 1.1 billion in 2024, up from USD 694 million in 2019. Over 1,000 Irish trademarks are currently registered in the UAE, including prominent firms such as Stripe and Kentech Group, signaling strong business ties and confidence in the UAE market.
State agencies such as Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia, the IDA, and Tourism Ireland have played a key role in supporting and promoting Irish interests in the UAE. Their continued involvement is expected to further enhance bilateral cooperation and unlock new opportunities for trade and innovation.
This partnership aligns with both countries' goals to build technology-driven, innovation-focused economies, attract foreign direct investment, and leverage each other’s strengths to achieve sustainable economic growth.
