CUBC Delegation to Visit Canada to Advance Bilateral Trade and Investment
June 4, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Toronto, ON – The Honourable Jean Charest and Musabbeh Al Kaabi, co-chairs of the Canada-UAE Business Council (CUBC), are leading a delegation of senior business executives who will be meeting with government and business leaders in Toronto, Ontario, Regina, and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan from June 5-7, 2023.
The delegation is focused on advancing bilateral relations, expanding trade and investment opportunities, and championing climate action ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP28, being held in Dubai, UAE, from November 30–December 12, 2023.
"With enhanced air travel between Canada and the UAE, businesses in both countries are excited to make new connections and advance bilateral trade and investment across key sectors including education, healthcare, agriculture, technology, and energy,” said Nour Kechacha, President of the Canada-UAE Business Council. “The Canada-UAE Business Council is pleased to be bringing such an influential delegation to Canada to strengthen and build long lasting mutually beneficial relationships.”
On June 5, Mr. Charest and Mr. Al Kaabi will participate in a Canadian Club Toronto fireside chat. Titled Energy Transition Opportunities: Strengthening Canada-UAE Bilateral Relations, the conversation will focus on how as two of the largest energy producers in the world, and world leaders in energy technologies, Canada and the UAE are uniquely positioned to champion and advance the clean energies of tomorrow. They will be joined by His Excellency Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Canada Fahad Saeed Mohamed Abdulla Al Raqbani and His Excellency Radha Krishna Panday, Ambassador of Canada to the United Arab Emirates.
In Saskatchewan, the delegation will meet with Premier Scott Moe, members of his cabinet, and the business community to discuss trade and export partnerships, sustainability, energy innovation, agri-tech, and food security. The UAE and Saskatchewan share an important trade relationship. In 2022, Saskatchewan exports were C$363.6 million and the province is the UAE’s largest supplier of lentils (C$278.7 million).
“Our province is proud to host the Canada-UAE Business Council this week and promote the sustainable food, fuel and fertilizer Saskatchewan has to offer,” Premier Scott Moe said. “Thanks to Saskatchewan’s trade office in Dubai, we’ve been working closely with officials in the UAE to strengthen our economic and trading relationship, and we are excited to welcome this delegation to our province.”
In the lead up to COP28, there is a tremendous opportunity to leverage Canada and the UAE’s shared focus on climate action, responsible energy transition, and renewable energy technologies to accelerate 2030 trajectories through game-changing partnerships, innovative solutions, and real tangible outcomes.
Quick Facts
- In 2022, the UAE was Canada’s largest merchandise export market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and Canada’s 21st largest globally, with $1.8 billion of merchandise exports. It ranks among the top 10 largest source countries for FDI to Canada.
- In 2022, Canada was the top source country for FDI capital to Dubai. The country accounted for 41 per cent of the total value of investment flows.
- More than 200 Canadian companies have an operational presence in the UAE. It is estimated that 40,000 Canadians live and work in the UAE.
About
The Canada-UAE Business Council is the premier business-led organization facilitating greater trade and investment between Canada and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Membership is by invitation only and is focused at the executive level. Board members are leading companies in Canada and the UAE: Al Jaber Group, Al Otaiba Enterprises, Brookfield, Cameron Development Corporation, DP World, EllisDon, Essa Al Ghurair Investments, Etihad, Globesight, Gowling WLG, Hatch, McCarthy Tétrault, Mubadala Investment Group, SkyPower Global, TAQA Global, TD Securities Inc., and Trimark Capital Group. For more information, visit: http://canadauaebusinesscouncil.org
