UAE is Australia’s top trading partner in the Middle East

An Australian trade official praised trade relations with the United Arab Emirates today. 

Justin McGowan told the official Emirates News Agency that the UAE is Australia’s top trading partner in the Middle East. McGowan, from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, made the remarks at the Expo 2020 Dubai cultural forum.

“The key message that we would like to convey to Australians back home is that our participation in Expo 2020 Dubai provides a platform for Australia to pursue economic recovery opportunities, particularly in the sectors and markets most impacted by COVID-19,” said McGowan, who leads Australia’s delegation to the event. 

Australia is a G-20 economy and has geopolitical importance due to its proximity to China. Thousands of Australians and hundreds of Aussie companies are based in Dubai, and the city is also a major transit hub for Australians traveling overseas. 

McGowan added that bilateral trade between the UAE and Australia is valued at $7.1 billion. He also said the Emirates is Australia’s second-largest source of investment in the Middle East. The UAE is not among the top 20 countries investing in Australia, however, according to statistics from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 

Many Middle Eastern countries are also participating in Expo 2020 Dubai, which runs through March of 2022. Egypt is displaying artifacts from its ancient civilization in a bid to boost tourism. Israel also sent official delegations focused on agriculture, energy and technology to the forum.