PARIS, October 6, 2025: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and France have agreed to deepen their economic and tourism cooperation following high-level meetings held in Paris between senior government officials from both countries. UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, met with French Minister of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, Éric Lombard, and Minister Delegate for Tourism, Nathalie Delattre, to discuss expanding investment ties and strengthening bilateral collaboration in key sectors.
The talks focused on improving access to both markets, encouraging private-sector engagement, and increasing cooperation in areas such as technology, infrastructure, and sustainable tourism. Al Marri stated that the meeting offered an opportunity to advance bilateral coordination by facilitating new business channels and enhancing the flow of expertise and investment. He emphasized that the UAE and France share similar economic priorities and that both countries are well-positioned to benefit from greater commercial exchange.
The UAE has been implementing reforms to enhance the ease of doing business and continues to introduce initiatives that attract foreign investors, including updated legislation and incentives targeting small and medium-sized enterprises. According to the UAE Ministry of Economy, France is among the UAE’s top economic partners in the European Union. The UAE currently hosts more than 15,000 French commercial licenses across various sectors.
Additionally, 18,500 French trademarks were registered in the UAE as of the end of May 2025, reflecting the depth of the economic relationship and the UAE’s role as a regional hub for French companies. Both sides reviewed opportunities to expand cooperation in priority sectors such as advanced technology, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and the circular economy. Discussions included potential collaborations in smart infrastructure and sustainable transport, with the aim of increasing efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
UAE and France detail expanded economic cooperation
The ministers also addressed the importance of enabling startups and entrepreneurs to participate in these sectors, recognizing the role of innovation in driving economic growth. In the area of tourism, the officials noted the growth in bilateral travel and the potential for further expansion. The number of French visitors to the UAE reached 648,704 in 2024, an increase of 15 percent compared to the previous year. In the first quarter of 2025, 245,269 French tourists arrived in the UAE. There are currently 58 direct weekly flights between the two countries, supporting increased movement of travelers and business professionals.
Al Marri highlighted the UAE’s efforts to strengthen its tourism offering through infrastructure development, regulatory updates, and new products focused on sustainability. The UAE has launched multiple tourism programs aimed at improving service quality and promoting cultural exchange, while also working to increase international cooperation with key markets such as France. The meeting also covered ways to expand joint tourism programs, improve coordination at international tourism events, and promote knowledge sharing in the development of green and sustainable tourism models.
Stakeholders coordinate for joint tourism programs
Officials confirmed their support for greater engagement between government agencies and private-sector stakeholders in both countries to facilitate implementation. The Paris meetings align with a broader push to strengthen UAE–France relations across multiple sectors. As part of this effort, the Ajman Department of Tourism Development recently began a promotional roadshow in France to highlight the emirate’s tourism offerings and develop partnerships with French travel and hospitality firms.
The campaign includes events in Paris, Lyon, and Nice and showcases new investment opportunities in Ajman’s tourism sector. The UAE and France have a long-standing economic and diplomatic relationship that has steadily expanded over the past two decades. The recent meetings underscore a joint commitment to building on that foundation by focusing on strategic sectors that support sustainable development and cross-border investment. – By Content Syndication Services.