Is Piyush Goyal Ready for His 2-Day UAE Visit?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Piyush Goyal is visiting the UAE to strengthen economic ties.
- Discussions will include the CEPA and investment opportunities.
- Meeting with key stakeholders is planned to enhance trade.
- The UAE is a crucial strategic partner for India.
- Trade has significantly increased since the CEPA's implementation.
New Delhi, Sep 18 (NationPress) Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is set to begin a two-day journey to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday. He will co-chair the 13th India-UAE High Level Task Force on Investments alongside Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) Managing Director Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The agenda includes reviewing advancements on the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the Double Taxation Treaty, and matters concerning the UAE-India Central Bank.
Discussions will also focus on investment prospects in vital sectors such as maritime and space, which are projected to have significant growth potential.
During this visit, Goyal will co-chair a roundtable for the UAE-India Business Council (UIBC) with UAE's Minister of Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, and engage with CEOs from prominent Indian and UAE firms. His itinerary includes bilateral meetings aimed at enhancing trade, investment, and cooperation in priority sectors.
The Union Minister is anticipated to meet with the UAE's National Security Advisor and International Holding Company (IHC) Chairman, Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along with other key figures such as Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, the Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, and Syed Basar Shueb, IHC Managing Director, alongside other essential private sector stakeholders.
The previous 12th India-UAE High Level Task Force on Investments, held in Mumbai in October 2024, resulted in the ratification of the India-UAE Bilateral Investment Treaty signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UAE in February 2024.
Since its establishment in 2013, this task force has functioned as a crucial platform for fostering trade and investment relations, discovering new opportunities, and resolving challenges faced by investors.
The UAE stands out as one of India's most significant strategic partners. Their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is bolstered by profound political engagement, robust economic integration, and cooperation across sectors such as energy, defense, technology, and food security.
Since its implementation in May 2022, the CEPA has nearly doubled bilateral merchandise trade from $43.3 billion in FY 2020-21 to $83.7 billion in FY 2023-24, while facilitating a structural transition towards non-oil sectors.