UAE’s Minister of Economy Strengthens Economic and Tourism Ties with Cyprus and Greece
H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of Investopia, held high-level meetings with officials from Cyprus and Greece to explore opportunities for deeper economic, investment, and tourism collaboration. The engagements took place on the sidelines of the inaugural Investopia Global – Mediterranean Edition in Cyprus, which convened ministers, business leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs from across the region.
The meetings align with the objectives of the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, which aims to position the UAE as a global hub for business, tourism, innovation, and investment by the next decade.
Enhancing UAE–Cyprus Economic Ties
In discussions with H.E. Georgios Papanastasiou, Minister of Energy, Commerce, and Industry of Cyprus, H.E. Bin Touq emphasized the importance of expanding bilateral partnerships in innovation, digital infrastructure, food security, renewable energy, and smart tourism. The meeting focused on facilitating UAE business operations in Cyprus while also enabling Cypriot exporters to benefit from the UAE’s robust trade and logistics ecosystem.
The UAE Minister also met with H.E. Dr. Konstantinos Kombos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in renewable energy, industry, and climate-resilient development. Both parties acknowledged the growing need for joint projects that support sustainable economic growth and knowledge exchange.
UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 and Cyprus Collaboration
In a separate session with H.E. Kostas Koumis, Cyprus’ Minister of Tourism, H.E. Bin Touq outlined the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, which aims to elevate the nation’s global standing in the tourism sector through infrastructure development, destination promotion, and investment attraction. The two countries discussed future joint initiatives focused on sustainable tourism and green travel innovation across the Eastern Mediterranean.
Expanding Tourism Cooperation with Greece
H.E. Bin Touq also held a key meeting with H.E. Olga Kefalogianni, Minister of Tourism of Greece, to explore deeper cooperation in smart tourism infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and bilateral tourism initiatives. The talks reflected a mutual interest in expanding people-to-people exchanges and leveraging the growing momentum in tourism ties.
In 2024, the UAE recorded a 25% increase in Greek visitors, reaching 20,452 arrivals compared to 16,366 in 2023. This growth is supported by strong air connectivity, with 33 weekly flights between the two countries operated by national carriers.
Driving Economic Diversification and Global Partnerships
These diplomatic and commercial meetings reinforce the UAE’s broader efforts to diversify its economy, promote innovation-driven sectors, and build resilient tourism ecosystems in partnership with likeminded nations. The strategic engagements with Cyprus and Greece reflect the UAE’s commitment to fostering international economic cooperation and advancing shared goals in sustainable development.
The meetings were also attended by H.E. Mohammad Alhawi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Investment; H.E. Mohammad Saif Al Shehhi, UAE Ambassador to Cyprus; and H.E. Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, Secretary-General Elect of UN Tourism (2026–2029 term).
