Chilean President Kast Strengthens Bilateral Ties with UAE’s Al Zeyoudi During High-Level Meeting
President José Antonio Kast of Chile welcomed Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, along with a high-level delegation, at the Presidential Palace in Santiago. The meeting, attended by Mohammed Al Neyadi, the UAE Ambassador to Chile, marked a significant step in enhancing bilateral relations between the two nations.
Diplomatic Greetings and Acknowledgments
At the outset of the meeting, Dr. Al Zeyoudi extended greetings from the UAE leadership, including President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Vice President His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He conveyed their congratulations to President Kast on his recent inauguration and expressed hopes for continued progress and prosperity for Chile and its citizens.
In response, President Kast expressed his gratitude for the UAE’s warm wishes and reiterated Chile’s commitment to strengthening its bilateral relationship with the UAE. He emphasized the importance of collaboration in areas of mutual interest, particularly in trade and investment.
Commitment to Global Peace and Cooperation
President Kast praised the UAE’s role in fostering global peace, tolerance, and coexistence. He noted that the UAE’s approach to dialogue and international cooperation serves as a model for promoting security and stability worldwide. He further commended the UAE’s initiatives aimed at bridging cultural divides and advancing sustainable development, which contribute to global stability.
The discussions between the two sides focused on enhancing cooperation in sectors of mutual interest, particularly trade and investment. Both parties underscored the importance of leveraging existing momentum to broaden their economic ties.
High-Level Meetings and Sectoral Focus
As part of the “UAE Trade Days,” Dr. Al Zeyoudi led a delegation that included government officials, business leaders, and representatives from Emirati companies. The delegation held a series of meetings with key Chilean officials, including Martín Arrau, Minister of Public Security; Ximena Rincón, Minister of Energy; and Patricio Torres Espinosa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, among others.
The meetings aimed to strengthen investment and trade cooperation, identifying opportunities in critical sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, technology, mining, and infrastructure. This reflects the UAE’s commitment to empowering the private sector to drive economic development and create new growth opportunities.
Exploring Trade and Investment Opportunities
The visit also featured a roundtable discussion that brought together investors and business leaders from both nations. This forum aimed to explore trade and investment opportunities in priority sectors and enhance private sector partnerships to support investment flows and boost bilateral trade.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to deepening its strategic partnership with Chile, emphasizing the significance of the UAE-Chile Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). He noted that the CEPA serves as a robust platform for enhancing economic cooperation and opening new avenues for private sector engagement.
Economic Growth and Future Prospects
Dr. Al Zeyoudi highlighted Chile’s importance as a partner for the UAE in Latin America. He stated that the discussions emphasized the need to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the CEPA to increase trade and mutual investment, thereby supporting economic growth and sustainable prosperity for both nations.
He pointed out that the CEPA has initiated a new phase in economic relations, providing broader partnership opportunities across vital sectors, including renewable energy, agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure. Notably, non-oil trade between the UAE and Chile has seen substantial growth, increasing by 45.6% in 2025 to reach USD 392.6 million.
The visit is part of the UAE’s broader strategy to expand its network of economic partnerships globally through the CEPA program, which has led to multiple agreements since its launch in 2021. This initiative supports the UAE’s goals of promoting sustainable trade and investment while solidifying its position as a global hub for business.
Source: www.zawya.com
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Published on 2026-07-03 16:45:00 • By the Editorial Desk
