Trade and Investment: a leading partnership in the Middle East
Belgium is among the UAE’s most important trading partners in Europe, while the UAE is Belgium’s largest trading partner in the Middle East, accounting for approximately 21 percent of Belgium’s total trade with Arab countries. Bilateral trade spans a wide range of sectors, including diamonds and precious metals, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, machinery and equipment, food products, and advanced technologies.
The Port of Antwerp–Bruges, one of Europe’s largest and most strategically important ports, serves as a key gateway connecting UAE trade and investment flows with European and global markets.
Belgian companies maintain a strong and growing presence in the UAE across sectors such as logistics, energy, advanced manufacturing, ports, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, dredging and maritime services, luxury goods, agri-food industries, and innovation, contributing to the UAE’s diversified, knowledge-based economy. At the same time, UAE investments in Belgium have expanded steadily, with sovereign wealth funds and private-sector entities active in logistics, real estate, infrastructure, and energy.
Both countries continue to explore new opportunities for cooperation, particularly in renewable energy, sustainability, food security, logistics, digital trade, e-commerce, and innovation, reflecting their shared ambition to build resilient and future-oriented economies.
Energy Transition and Climate Action: from COP28 to shared ambitions
Cooperation in energy and climate has become an increasingly important pillar of UAE–Belgium relations. Belgium’s advanced expertise in offshore wind energy, port infrastructure, and clean technologies complements the UAE’s leadership in renewable energy deployment and its ambitious energy transition agenda.
Collaboration between Emirati and Belgian stakeholders continues to expand in areas such as renewable energy, green hydrogen, and sustainable logistics, contributing to the global transition toward cleaner and more resilient energy systems.
The UAE’s historic presidency of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), held in Dubai in December 2023, marked a significant milestone in international climate cooperation. The conference resulted in the landmark UAE Consensus and the first Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement, with Belgium playing an active role throughout the process. Both countries continue to work together to advance shared climate objectives and support a just, orderly, and inclusive energy transition.
