Boosting economic relations: Sheikh Mohammed meets Russian, Nigerian and Sri Lankan leaders at Expo 2020 Dubai

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Saturday met Prime Minister of Russia Mikhail Mishustin at Expo 2020 Dubai. The meeting was attended by Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed welcomed Mishustin, praising the strong bilateral relations between the two countries under the leadership of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and President Vladimir Putin of Russia.

The meeting discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern and highlighted the importance of maintaining security and stability. Sheikh Mohammed and Mishustin also exchanged perspectives on accelerating global recovery from the pandemic.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to boost bilateral relations in various sectors to achieve the aspirations of both nations. The meeting also explored ways of facilitating cooperation between the private sectors of both countries. The UAE is currently home to more than 4,000 Russian companies.

The two sides expressed optimism about enhancing partnership and cooperation in vital sectors, including: trade, investment, energy, industry, innovation, financial services, banking, customs, food security, agriculture, education, transport, information, communication technology, media, culture, tourism, sports, environmental protection, natural resource management, circular economy, fourth industrial revolution and space.

The meeting was attended by Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council; Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee; Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Council for Border Crossing Points Security; and Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai.

The UAE is Russia’s largest trade partner in the Gulf region, accounting for 55% of the total trade between Russia and the GCC region. During the first half of 2021, the value of non-oil trade between the UAE and Russia reached about $2 billion, a significant growth of more than 80% compared to the same period last year.

The UAE is also a top Arab destination for Russian investments, accounting for nearly 90% of Russia’s total investments in Arab countries. On the other hand, the UAE is the largest Arab investor in Russia, with a contribution of more than 80% of the total Arab investments in Russia. The volume of foreign investments exchanged between the UAE and Russia is about $1.8 billion.

Separately, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka during his visit to the country’s Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.
Sheikh Mohammed during his visit to Sri Lanka Pavilion. WAM

During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid expressed the UAE’s keenness to boost bilateral relations with all friendly countries based on the principles of trust, mutual respect and cooperation.

The Sri Lankan President congratulated Sheikh Mohammed on the UAE’s 50th National Day. Rajapaksa highlighted the UAE’s prominent status both regionally and globally, its capabilities across various sectors, and the UAE leadership’s keenness to expand bilateral cooperation with nations around the world.

During his visit to the Sri Lanka Pavilion, located in the ‘Opportunity District’, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid was briefed on Sri Lanka’s developmental efforts in various social and economic sectors, as well as in the cultural field.

The Sri Lanka Pavilion showcases the country’s advancements in the fields of telecommunications, information technology, and research. It also promotes Sri Lanka as a tourist destination and showcases innovative products and services that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the country.
Sheikh Mohamed during his visit to Nigerian Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. WAM

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid also visited the Nigeria Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, where he met with President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria. During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed discussed with President Buhari ways of boosting cooperation with Nigeria for the benefit of the peoples of both countries.

Highlighting the distinguished relations between the UAE and Nigeria, the Nigerian President expressed his pleasure to be visiting the UAE. Buhari stressed his country’s keenness to advance cooperation between the two countries in various fields, including trade and investment.

During his visit to the Nigeria Pavilion, Sheikh Mohammed was briefed on the creative industries and the diverse cultural history of Nigeria’s various states as well as the country’s future projects.
Sheikh Mohammed during his tour to Nigerian Pavilion. WAM

Accompanying Sheikh Mohammed on his tour were Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council; Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee; and Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Achieving the aspirations: Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance, on Saturday received Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, at Expo 2020 Dubai, and discussed with him the bilateral relations between the UAE and Sri Lanka and ways to develop them in all fields to achieve the aspirations of the two friendly countries and peoples.

Sheikh Maktoum affirmed the UAE’s keenness to boost cooperation with various countries and peoples in various economic, cultural, tourism and other fields in a manner that is commensurate with the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries. President Rajapaksa congratulated the UAE on the occasion of its Golden Jubilee, stressing his country’s desire to develop its cooperation with the UAE in various fields, to support sustainable development efforts and meet the aspirations of national development in both countries 

WAM