Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, concluded his official visit to Canada on Wednesday with a series of high-level talks aimed at strengthening ties between the two nations. During his visit, Sheikh Khaled met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss key sectors such as artificial intelligence, aviation, food security, infrastructure, and logistics. The visit culminated in the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa), which was finalized in July and aims to reduce trade barriers and boost investment between the UAE and Canada.
The Cepa is expected to enhance access for Canadian companies to the UAE market, particularly in energy, mining, artificial intelligence, and ports. This follows a $50 billion investment commitment made by the UAE government during Mr. Carney's visit to the country in November. The agreement also seeks to encourage private sector growth and innovation, with Emirati and Canadian companies already driving C$21.1 billion (US$15 billion) in trade under a major investment framework.
Sheikh Khaled and Mr. Carney explored ways to advance cooperation between their business communities and encourage joint projects and investment. They also discussed international and regional issues, emphasizing the need for dialogue and diplomatic solutions to promote peace and security. Sheikh Khaled signed the Distinguished Visitors Book at Parliament Hill, expressing pride in UAE-Canada relations and hope for new opportunities.
During his visit, Sheikh Khaled met with young Emiratis studying in Canada, urging them to seize opportunities for learning, research, and training. He also attended a dinner hosted by Mr. Carney, who welcomed the visit as a step to further strengthen friendship and cooperation between the UAE and Canada. The visit came weeks after President Sheikh Mohamed spoke with Mr. Carney to explore efforts to deepen partnerships in the economy, investment, and advanced technology.