Is Commerce Minister Goyal set to embark on a 2-day visit to UAE?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is visiting the UAE on September 18-19.
- He will co-chair the 13th India-UAE High Level Task Force on Investments.
- Discussions will focus on the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
- Investment opportunities in maritime and space sectors will be explored.
- Strengthening trade relations is a key agenda item.
New Delhi, Sep 17 (NationPress) Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is scheduled to travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on September 18–19. He will co-chair the 13th India-UAE High Level Task Force on Investments alongside the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) Managing Director, Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The upcoming meeting aims to assess the advancements related to the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the Double Taxation Treaty, and the UAE-India Central Bank discussions. Both nations will also investigate investment prospects in significant sectors like maritime and space, which present promising growth opportunities.
During his visit, Goyal will co-chair a roundtable for the UAE-India Business Council (UIBC) alongside the UAE's Minister of Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, and engage with CEOs from leading Indian and UAE enterprises. He will also conduct bilateral meetings aimed at enhancing trade, investment, and collaboration across critical sectors.
The Union Minister is anticipated to meet with Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE's National Security Advisor and Chairman of the International Holding Company (IHC), along with Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, and Syed Basar Shueb, IHC Managing Director, as well as other significant private sector representatives.
The previous 12th India-UAE High Level Task Force on Investments, conducted in Mumbai in October 2024, witnessed the ratification of the India-UAE Bilateral Investment Treaty signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UAE in February 2024. Established in 2013, this task force has been a crucial platform for bolstering trade and investment relations, identifying new avenues, and addressing investor concerns.
The UAE is recognized as one of India’s key strategic partners. Their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is based on profound political connections, strong economic integration, and collaborative efforts in energy, defense, technology, and food security. The CEPA, effective since May 2022, has nearly doubled bilateral merchandise trade from $43.3 billion in FY 2020-21 to $83.7 billion in FY 2023-24, while fostering a structural shift towards non-oil sectors.