Russian-UAE Economic Partnership Expands Across Energy, Tourism, and High-Tech Sectors

Russia and the United Arab Emirates have identified at least eight strategic directions for collaboration in the coming years, according to Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alihanov and UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri at the first Russian-Emirati Business Forum in Dubai.

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Dubai

In the energy sector, cooperation will focus on machinery for fuel extraction, processing, and transportation. Alihanov highlighted that Russia has been working closely with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company on certification and standards for entering the UAE market. He emphasized the growing importance of advanced technology in oil and gas production due to Russia's high proportion of hard-to-recover reserves.

Pharmaceuticals and High Technology

Russian pharmaceutical companies have already entered the UAE market, and discussions included potential production expansion within the Emirates. In high technology, Alihanov praised the spread of the Yango digital ecosystem, linked to Yandex N. V., and highlighted the voice assistant Yasmine as an example of Russia-UAE tech collaboration.

Tourism and Investment Cooperation

Investment projects between the two countries include the Ust-Luga gas processing complex and the Russian tourist initiative "Five Seas.” Alihanov noted the value of UAE expertise in managing large resort projects, emphasizing both financial and operational cooperation.

UAE Priorities: Food Production and Tourism

From the UAE perspective, Al Marri highlighted food production, noting that the country imports over 90% of its food and aims to reduce imports to 60% by developing local clusters. Tourism collaboration includes expanding flight routes, with new connections to cities such as Kazan, complementing the current 200 weekly flights.

Simplifying Payments for Tourists

Russia and the UAE also discussed easing payment systems for tourists by moving away from traditional card payments toward new technologies, including QR codes and apps like the emerging Jaywan platform in the Emirates.

The forum, held on December 10 in Dubai, took place within the framework of the 12th session of the Russian-Emirati Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, and Technical Cooperation.