UAE-France economic cooperation strengthened as Abdullah bin Touq meets French minister at VivaTech 2026
UAE-France economic cooperation advanced in Paris as Abdullah bin Touq met the French minister at VivaTech 2026 to discuss tourism, aviation, SMEs and startups.
The UAE’s Minister of Economy and Tourism, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, held high-level talks in Paris to advance UAE-France economic cooperation, focusing on tourism, aviation links and support for small and medium enterprises. The meeting with France’s minister responsible for small and medium enterprises, trade, crafts, tourism and purchasing power took place on the sidelines of VivaTech 2026, where both sides explored practical steps to broaden partnerships. Delegates emphasised joint promotion of destinations, institutional partnerships and alignment on United Nations tourism initiatives as immediate areas for collaboration.
Ministers discuss tourism, aviation and SME cooperation
Both ministers outlined a shared agenda to enhance tourism ties between the UAE and France, including capacity development and joint academic and professional exchanges in hospitality management. They agreed to pursue partnerships between specialised institutions to boost training, standards and workforce mobility across the two countries.
The conversation also covered air connectivity and commercial links that underpin tourism growth, and explored targeted measures to encourage private-sector investment in hospitality and travel services. Officials noted that coordinated destination marketing and reciprocal promotional campaigns could deepen cultural understanding and increase visitor flows in both directions.
UAE delegation at VivaTech 2026 underlines entrepreneurship push
The UAE delegation, led by Abdullah bin Touq, attended VivaTech 2026 in Paris from June 17 to June 20 under the event’s theme emphasising the tangible impact of artificial intelligence. Participation at the innovation and entrepreneurship fair underscored the UAE’s strategy to position startups and advanced-technology firms at the centre of bilateral economic ties.
Ministry officials used the platform to present the UAE’s competitive environment for innovators and to seek French partnerships in advanced tech, venture funding and scale-up programs. The discussions complemented bilateral talks by highlighting how technology-driven SMEs can contribute to broader economic cooperation between the two nations.
Bilateral tourism figures and air links support growth
Recent travel and aviation data featured prominently in the talks, with officials noting that roughly 840,000 French visitors travelled to the UAE in 2025 — an increase of about 4 percent compared with 2024. Delegates highlighted the role of expanded flight schedules in facilitating business and leisure travel, citing 53 weekly flights between the two countries as a vital corridor.
Participants said the robust air connectivity and rising tourist numbers create immediate opportunities for joint tourism products, cultural exchanges and business travel initiatives. These dynamics are expected to support private-sector partnerships and hospitality investments in upcoming quarters.
Incentives and regulatory advantages for startups and SMEs
Abdullah bin Touq briefed the French side on the UAE’s suite of incentives aimed at nurturing startups and SMEs, including 100 percent foreign ownership across many sectors and a catalog of more than 2,000 economic activities. The UAE’s policy framework — which allows full profit repatriation and features over ten major government programmes supporting entrepreneurship — was presented as a competitive draw for French firms.
Officials also emphasised the economic footprint of SMEs in the UAE: they account for around 95 percent of operating companies, provide more than 85 percent of private-sector jobs and contribute roughly 63 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. These figures were cited to underline the critical role of SMEs in scaling bilateral business cooperation.
Surge in French business presence and intellectual property registrations
The meeting highlighted a sharp rise in French corporate presence in the UAE, with registered French companies increasing from 7,089 at the end of 2024 to 10,202 by the close of 2025 — an exceptional growth rate of approximately 44 percent. That momentum continued into 2026, with 1,153 new French registrations recorded in the first five months of the year, bringing the total to more than 11,000 companies operating in the UAE.
Delegates also pointed to intellectual property engagement as evidence of deepening commercial ties, noting over 20,458 French trademarks registered and protected in UAE markets. Officials characterised these metrics as a reflection of the attractiveness of the UAE’s business environment and the growing integration of French firms across sectors.
The UAE and France left the meeting with a clear agenda for follow-up actions, including steps to formalise academic exchanges in hospitality, joint promotional campaigns, and collaborative initiatives under the UN World Tourism Organization framework. With the UAE scheduled to host the next meeting of the UNWTO Executive Council in the second half of 2026, both sides signalled intent to use that forum to advance shared priorities and translate dialogue into concrete projects that strengthen bilateral economic cooperation.