During the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE), Mr. Abdulla Albasha Alnoaimi, the United Arab Emirates Commercial Attaché to the People’s Republic of China, embarked on his third CIIE journey. In the eyes of this "old friend", the UAE and China share significant commonalities, with both countries highly aligned in their ideals of openness, inclusivity, innovation-driven development, and global collaboration. The CIIE serves as a "golden bridge" that carries this shared vision.
Alnoaimi said, "the CIIE is not only an important platform for promoting international trade, investment, and cross-cultural dialogue, but it also provides a stage for UAE companies to showcase their innovative capabilities and competitiveness. More importantly, UAE companies have established new partnerships through the CIIE, engaging extensively not only with Chinese counterparts but also with global participants."
SHOWCASING ADVANTAGEOUS INDUSTRIES AT CIIE
An Arabic proverb says, "Words are leaves, actions are fruits." This perfectly captures the UAE's approach at the 8th CIIE. As the guest country of honor, the UAE has set up four themed exhibition areas. The UAE Pavilion features eight prominent companies, showcasing the nation's economic progress and diverse structure. In the Agricultural Products and Food Exhibition Area, ten leading companies and key sectors highlight the UAE's latest advancements in food security and sustainable production. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), along with its subsidiaries Masdar, Borouge, and TA’ZIZ, jointly exhibited to emphasize their commitment to energy transition, international cooperation, and innovative technologies. Meanwhile, the DP World exhibition area showcases the UAE's strong and expanding global logistics network, underscoring its role as a key hub in global trade infrastructure.
Alnoaimi noted that the UAE's active participation in the CIIE over several years demonstrates its long-term commitment and strong confidence in the Chinese market. "The CIIE has become a crucial gateway for the UAE to deepen cooperation with China. The enthusiasm of UAE companies to participate in the CIIE clearly shows that both the public and private sectors in the UAE are increasingly interested in expanding their presence in China and other regions."
FROM DESERT ICON TO MARKET SENSATION
Under the Belt and Road Initiative, China-Arab economic and trade relations have been steadily deepening, with particularly notable cooperation in agriculture and food. At the end of 2022, China approved the export of UAE camel milk products. The following year, camel milk powder became the standout "national icon" of the UAE Pavilion at the 6th CIIE.
The ancient camel bell is now ringing in a new era of China-Arab cooperation. At the 8th CIIE, the UAE Pavilion highlighted advanced technology, clean energy, food safety, and logistics, showcasing the latest development achievements.
"From our past experiences at the CIIE, many UAE products and services have attracted strong interest from Chinese buyers and consumers. We've consistently received very positive feedback from participating companies. In particular, camel milk products have shown remarkable potential in the Chinese market." said Alnoaimi.
The CIIE has been instrumental in introducing and expanding UAE camel milk brands, helping establish long-term partnerships with Chinese distributors and retailers.
Mustasher Al Badry, deputy general manager at Camelicious, noted, "From 2022 to 2023, we achieved double-digit growth in the Chinese market. The CIIE is a major event, and the Chinese market is one that no international company can afford to ignore."
Alnoaimi emphasized that the UAE's active participation in the CIIE reflects not only strong commercial interests but also a shared commitment with China to promote open trade, innovation, and global connectivity.
STRENGTHENING CHINA-UAE COOPERATION
The UAE is China's largest export market and second-largest trading partner in the Middle East. In 2024, the bilateral trade between China and the UAE exceeded $100 billion for the first time. China primarily exports mechanical and electrical products, high-tech goods, textiles, and apparel to the UAE, while importing crude oil and petrochemical products.
During the UAE-China Trade and Economic Cooperation Conference in the 8th CIIE, 15 agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed between institutions and companies from both countries. These agreements are intended to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership and expand cooperation in energy, technology, sustainable development, agriculture, and the digital economy, supporting sustainable economic growth in line with both countries' future development visions.
Beyond practical economic and trade interactions, the UAE also presented its cherished traditional folk dance, the "Ayala Dance", at the CIIE. Alnoaimi said, "This dance symbolizes unity, strength, and pride. Through this performance, we hope to further strengthen the cultural ties between our two peoples. The blend of economic dialogue and cultural exchange reflects the core spirit of our participation in the CIIE—celebrating partnership, friendship, and shared prosperity."
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