Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, held talks with senior government and business leaders in Panama to strengthen bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation as part of the UAE Trade Days initiative.
The discussions focused on expanding economic partnerships, boosting trade and investment flows, enhancing supply chain resilience and exploring opportunities in strategic sectors by leveraging the UAE’s and Panama’s positions as global trade gateways.
The meeting was attended by Mohammed Abdullah bin Khater Al Shamsi, UAE Ambassador to Colombia and non-resident Ambassador to Panama.
During the visit, Dr. Al Zeyoudi met with Javier Martinez-Acha, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Carlos Guevara Mann, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral Affairs and Cooperation; Eida Gabriela Sáiz, Vice Minister of Economy; Jorge Herrera, President of the National Assembly; José Ramon Icaza, Minister of Panama Canal Affairs; Omar Torres, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry; and Ashok Nandwani, Acting President of the Panama Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture.
Business leaders explore investment opportunities
A UAE-Panama business roundtable brought together investors and business leaders to explore new commercial opportunities, strengthen private-sector partnerships, promote investment and expand bilateral trade.
As part of the visit, Dr. Al Zeyoudi participated in the panel discussion, ‘Economic Development and Promoting Global Connectivity and Integration’, held during the Global Leaders Forum in Panama City, marking the 200th anniversary of the 1826 Panama Amphictyonic Congress.
The UAE minister stressed that accelerating investment in ports, airports, transport networks and logistics infrastructure, alongside aligning regulatory frameworks, harmonizing standards and streamlining customs procedures, is essential to strengthening global economic integration and ensuring the efficient movement of trade.
He added that diversifying production bases, connecting digital and technological systems, and synchronizing procedures among countries would improve the efficiency of global trade and expand access to international markets.
Delegation visits key economic hubs in Panama
The UAE delegation also toured the Panama Canal, the Panama Pacifico Special Economic Area and several companies and economic institutions to explore opportunities for cooperation with Emirati businesses.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi said that the UAE and Panama serve as strategic trade gateways linking global markets and continue to work together to support a rules-based international trading system, facilitate the seamless movement of goods and strengthen the resilience of global supply chains.
Image Credits: WAM | Cropped by GBN
The minister further stated that the extensive meetings held during the visit reflected the shared commitment of both countries to elevating bilateral trade and investment relations while creating new opportunities for private-sector cooperation in strategic sectors that support sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity.
The delegation from UAE included representatives from government entities and private-sector companies operating in technology, digital services, renewable energy, agriculture, food industries, logistics, transport, mining, healthcare, financial services and security solutions.
Trade momentum continues under CEPA
The visit forms part of the UAE’s strategy to expand its global economic partnerships through the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) program, a key pillar of efforts to boost non-oil foreign trade and deepen engagement with strategic international markets.
Non-oil trade between the UAE and Panama have reached $186 million in 2025, a 49.7 percent increase compared with 2024, reflecting growing momentum in bilateral economic relations.
Since its launch in September 2021, the UAE-Panama CEPA program has expanded the UAE’s network of trading partners across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas, supporting the country’s long-term objectives of strengthening non-oil trade and achieving sustainable economic growth.
