The Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, stated that a comprehensive economic partnership agreement between the UAE and Chad will be signed soon. He explained that negotiations on most of the agreement's articles have already been completed, with only some market access issues remaining, which are expected to be finalized in the coming weeks. During a press conference on the sidelines of the 'UAE - Chad Trade and Investment Forum', Al Zeyoudi also revealed plans to reach partnership agreements with several African countries. He noted that negotiations with Rwanda are nearing completion, while talks with Nigeria and other countries are progressing well. The Minister pointed out that the UAE has received requests from other African nations, such as Ghana, to sign partnership agreements with the UAE. Al Zeyoudi mentioned that the UAE has signed 32 partnership agreements to date. During the forum, 18 economic and trade agreements were signed between the UAE and Chad, along with 19 other agreements signed by international parties. It is expected that the total international and local investments directed towards Chad's development through these agreements will exceed $6.2 billion. He highlighted that past investments have covered the renewable energy sector, with the first phase of a 50-megawatt project, launched last September, already implemented. The next phase will focus on industrial zones, which will significantly impact job creation in Chad, as well as the mining sector, to which the UAE attaches great importance for its development. Additionally, a memorandum of understanding was recently signed between Abu Dhabi Ports and the concerned ministry in Chad regarding investment in free zones and dry ports in Chad. Al Zeyoudi added that the forum, held under the direction and follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Presidential Court, attracted many international financial institutions eager to be part of the development process in Chad. In his opening speech at the forum, Al Zeyoudi stated that the UAE and Chad have been bound by long-standing friendly relations for over five decades. We have witnessed an upward trajectory in our non-oil bilateral trade, which reached $1.9 billion in 2024, a 32.3% increase compared to 2023 and a 69% rise compared to 2022.
