UAE trade mission in South America strengthens ties across five nations
UAE trade mission in South America forges new commercial and investment ties across Panama, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile and Guyana, boosting non-oil trade and private-sector access.
The UAE trade mission in South America concluded an intensive eight-day economic tour that spanned Panama, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile and Guyana. The delegation, led by Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, sought to deepen bilateral trade, attract investment and open new markets for Emirati businesses. The visit, conducted under the banner of “Emirati Trade Days,” combined high-level political meetings with business forums and private-sector matchmaking.
UAE trade mission spans five South American countries
The delegation visited five countries to showcase Emirati interest in expanding economic engagement across the region. Each stop included government-to-government meetings and events aimed at sector-specific collaboration and market entry support for UAE companies. The itinerary was designed to map opportunities in agriculture, renewable energy, mining, logistics and financial services.
Delegation composition and priority sectors
The economic delegation included officials from government agencies alongside representatives of Emirati firms active in technology, food industries, logistics, renewable energy, mining and security solutions. Participants held bilateral meetings with counterpart ministries and private companies to identify joint ventures and project pipelines. The sectoral focus reflected both the natural-resource strengths of South America and the UAE’s industrial and service capabilities.
High-level meetings and business forums held
Delegation members met heads of state, senior ministers and economic decision-makers, and organized multiple business forums to connect Emirati and South American firms. These forums featured roundtables, B2B meetings and sector workshops intended to accelerate memoranda of understanding and commercial agreements. Officials emphasized enabling private-sector access as the primary mechanism to convert diplomatic momentum into tangible projects.
Participation in Mercosur summit in Asunción
The UAE delegation also attended the Mercosur summit held in Asunción, Paraguay, signaling interest in engaging with regional economic blocs. UAE participation at that multilateral gathering underlined a strategy of building ties not only with individual capitals but also with regional trade partners. Engagement with Mercosur complements bilateral talks by opening channels for broader market integration and regulatory cooperation.
Trade and investment results highlighted
Officials cited a growing base of commercial activity between the UAE and South American partners, noting that non-oil trade with Mercosur reached approximately $6.2 billion in 2025. The delegation framed the tour as a step toward increasing that figure through new agreements, investments and supply‑chain linkages. Emirati leaders said the outcomes are expected to support both export diversification and inbound capital flows for joint development projects.
Private sector opportunities and collaboration pathways
Private-sector participants identified concrete prospects in agricultural technology, cold-chain logistics, renewable energy projects and mining services. UAE investors signalled interest in off‑take agreements, agri-processing facilities and logistics hubs that can link South American supply to Gulf markets and global value chains. Officials highlighted mechanisms such as investment guarantees, joint ventures and trade facilitation measures to reduce market-entry friction.
The tour was presented by Emirati officials as part of a sustained effort to position the UAE as a global trade and investment hub that connects producers and consumers across continents. Authorities emphasized a long-term strategy of concluding trade and investment pacts, improving regulatory alignment and supporting SME linkages between the UAE and South American economies.
Outcomes announced after the meetings included plans for follow-up technical committees, sector-specific working groups and timelines for negotiating commercial frameworks. Delegation leaders underscored that the next phase will focus on converting memoranda and forums into signed contracts and operational projects. Economic stakeholders in the visited countries welcomed the engagement and described the UAE as a reliable partner for expanding market access and financing.
The UAE trade mission in South America aims to reinforce economic diplomacy by pairing state-level agreements with active private-sector participation. Officials intend to leverage the tour’s momentum to increase non-oil trade, scale Emirati investments abroad and support sustainable development objectives in partner countries. Continued follow-up and implementation will determine the pace at which identified opportunities translate into measurable trade and investment flows.
