Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung attended a high-level roundtable focused on boosting economic cooperation between the UAE and South Korea. The strategic meeting brought together ministers, senior officials, and major industry representatives from both nations.
Strategic Roundtable Builds on Comprehensive Economic Partnership
The meeting, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Trade, the Abu Dhabi Chamber, and the Federation of Korean Industries, aimed to expand trade and investment ties between the two countries. Discussions centered on building momentum from the Comprehensive Economic
Partnership Agreement signed in May 2024.
Sheikh Khaled welcomed President Lee and reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to partnerships that drive sustainable growth and shared prosperity, emphasizing the strong foundation for bilateral economic collaboration.
UAE Invites Korean Investment in Industrial Sector
The UAE encouraged Korean companies to leverage its competitive investment climate, particularly within the rapidly expanding industrial sector. The country’s Operation 300bn strategy is transforming the industrial landscape, creating significant opportunities for international partnerships.
Korean firms are well-positioned to participate in the UAE’s ambitious industrial growth plans, which aim to increase the sector’s GDP contribution to Dh300 billion by 2031.
UAE-South Korea Trade Reaches $6.6 Billion
Non-oil trade between the UAE and South Korea continues growing steadily, reaching $6.6 billion in 2024—an 11.4 per cent increase compared to 2023. The positive momentum extended into the first half of 2025, with bilateral trade reaching $3.14 billion.
These figures demonstrate the strengthening economic relationship between the two nations and the effectiveness of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in facilitating trade growth.
Bilateral Meetings Foster Sector-Specific Partnerships
The roundtable event included a series of bilateral meetings between Emirati and Korean firms to support sector-specific partnerships. These focused discussions enabled businesses from both countries to explore collaboration opportunities in key industries including technology, manufacturing, renewable energy, and infrastructure.
The direct engagement between companies creates practical pathways for implementing strategic partnerships that benefit both economies.
What This Means for UAE-Korea Economic Relations
The Abu Dhabi roundtable signals deepening economic ties between the UAE and South Korea, two nations committed to innovation, sustainability, and economic diversification. Korean expertise in advanced manufacturing, electronics, and green technology aligns perfectly with the UAE’s development priorities.
As trade volumes continue rising and the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement unlocks new opportunities, both countries stand to benefit from enhanced cooperation across multiple sectors.
Future Outlook for Bilateral Cooperation
The strengthening UAE-South Korea partnership positions both nations for sustained economic growth. With the UAE’s strategic location connecting East and West, and South Korea’s technological prowess, the collaboration creates a powerful platform for regional and global business expansion.
Future cooperation will likely focus on high-value sectors including artificial intelligence, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and digital infrastructure—areas where both countries demonstrate strong capabilities and ambitions
