Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Arrives in Ecuador as UAE and Quito Announce Landmark CEPA and $3bn Investment Talks

Quito, The Gulf Observer: H.H. Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, arrived at Carondelet Palace in Quito, where he was received with an official ceremony featuring the national anthems of the UAE and the Ecuador.

His Highness and Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa reviewed a guard of honour that lined the palace courtyard before proceeding to official talks aimed at advancing bilateral relations.

At the outset of the meeting, Sheikh Khaled conveyed the greetings of UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to President Noboa, along with best wishes for his health and for the continued prosperity and development of Ecuador and its people.

President Noboa welcomed the Crown Prince’s visit as a significant step toward strengthening friendship and cooperation between the two nations. He requested that his sincere greetings and best wishes for the continued progress of the UAE be conveyed to President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.

Expanding Strategic Cooperation

Discussions focused on deepening the UAE–Ecuador partnership and broadening cooperation in priority sectors, including food security and sustainable agriculture, clean and renewable energy, advanced technology, and mutual investments that support economic diversification.

Following the meeting, the two sides formally announced the conclusion of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The agreement aims to reduce tariffs, remove trade barriers, and strengthen strategic partnerships between public and private sectors in both countries. It prioritizes cooperation in clean energy, advanced technology, mining, logistics, agriculture, and other key industries.

A cooperation agreement was also announced between the UAE Ministry of Investment and Ecuador’s Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries to explore new investment opportunities across sectors of shared interest.

Security, Governance and Anti-Corruption Cooperation

In a significant development, a memorandum of understanding was unveiled between EDGE Group and Ecuador’s Ministry of National Defence to enhance collaboration in security infrastructure under a joint programme valued at US$250 million. The initiative will focus on advancing surveillance systems and strengthening border protection capabilities.

Additionally, the UAE Accountability Authority and Ecuador’s Council for Citizen Participation and Social Control signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance bilateral cooperation in combating corruption and promoting integrity, governance, and transparency in public sector frameworks.

Over $3 Billion in Projects Under Discussion

As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen public and private sector collaboration, development projects and cooperation agreements exceeding US$3 billion are currently under discussion. These initiatives reflect the growing depth of bilateral engagement and open new avenues for economic partnership.

The UAE remains a key trading partner for Ecuador across the Arab region and Africa. Non-oil trade between the two countries reached approximately US$373.6 million in 2025, marking notable growth compared to previous years.

Ecuador has now become the fourth Latin American nation to sign a CEPA with the UAE, following agreements with Costa Rica (April 2025), Chile (November 2025), and Colombia (April 2024). Negotiations are also under way with Peru to conclude a similar agreement, underscoring the UAE’s commitment to expanding sustainable economic cooperation and diversifying trade ties across South America.