UAE and France Discuss Strengthening Economic and Tourism Cooperation
Paris, The Gulf Observer: UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri met in Paris with French Minister of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty Eric Lombard and Minister Delegate for Tourism Nathalie Delattre to explore ways to enhance economic and tourism cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and France.
The discussions focused on expanding investment and trade collaboration, developing new business channels, and boosting cooperation in tourism and travel. Both sides agreed to work on increasing tourism investment opportunities and strengthening the sector’s contribution to the sustainable economic growth of the two nations.
Minister Al Marri emphasized that the meeting represents a valuable opportunity to broaden the scope of the UAE–France partnership and raise it to new levels of coordination. He underlined the importance of enabling business communities to access emerging opportunities, exchange expertise, and expand cooperation between government and private sectors.
Highlighting the shared development visions of both countries, Al Marri noted that the UAE continues to modernize its legislative and economic frameworks to enhance business flexibility and competitiveness. Through updated laws, incentives, and support mechanisms for entrepreneurs and SMEs, the UAE offers attractive opportunities for French investors and companies seeking entry into its dynamic market.
The two sides discussed practical mechanisms to facilitate access for Emirati and French companies to opportunities in priority sectors, while also exploring cooperation in advanced and digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and the circular economy. They further addressed potential partnerships in developing smart infrastructure, sustainable transport, and startup ecosystems.
On tourism cooperation, Al Marri affirmed that the partnership between the UAE and France reflects the depth of their strategic relationship. He noted that the UAE continues to launch sustainable tourism initiatives and develop high-quality products and services to meet growing global demand, while strengthening cultural and economic exchanges with France.
He further stated that the UAE’s proactive approach in advancing tourism infrastructure and regulatory frameworks creates a flexible and investor-friendly environment. This, he said, provides promising opportunities for enhanced collaboration with France’s tourism and travel sectors at both governmental and private levels.
Both sides underscored the importance of tourism as a key avenue of bilateral cooperation, agreeing to expand joint tourism programs, facilitate travel between the two countries, coordinate participation in international events, and exchange expertise in green and sustainable tourism.
UAE–French relations have witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, with the UAE currently hosting over 15,000 commercial licenses held by French entities across various sectors. As of May 2025, 18,500 French trademarks were registered in the UAE, underscoring the country’s status as a preferred destination for French businesses in the region.
Tourism ties have also strengthened significantly. In 2024, 648,704 French tourists visited the UAE—a 15 percent increase compared with 2023. During the first quarter of 2025, the UAE welcomed 245,269 French visitors. Currently, 58 direct weekly flights operate between the two countries, further facilitating tourism and economic exchange.
