The Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye (DEİK) organized the Türkiye–UAE Business Forum in İstanbul on May 8, 2026, with the participation of H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade; Mustafa Tuzcu, Deputy Minister of Trade of the Republic of Türkiye; Nail Olpak, President of DEİK; Mehmet Ali Akarca, Chairperson of the DEİK/Türkiye–United Arab Emirates Business Council; Abdullah Al-Hameli, Chairman of the United Arab Emirates–Türkiye Business Council; Humaid bin Salem, Secretary General of the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry; and business representatives from both countries. The Forum featured panel sessions and bilateral business meetings on the themes of "Energy and Sustainability: ‘Powering the Future: Renewable Energy Partnerships Between Türkiye and the UAE'", "Food Security and Agribusiness: ‘Advancing Food Security, Trade, Food Investments, and Resilience Between Türkiye and the UAE'", and "Innovation and Technology: ‘Shaping the Digital Future: Innovation and Technology Partnerships Between Türkiye and the UAE.'"

UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, stated that the UAE plays a significant role in connecting East and West through trade activities. Noting that bilateral trade between the two countries has tripled compared to 2022, Al Zeyoudi said, "Today, Türkiye is the UAE's fifth largest non-oil trading partner. The growth and success of this investment relationship are the result of the efforts of businesspeople from both countries." Referring to the non-oil trade target of USD 40 billion set two to three years ago through bilateral agreements, he added, "All these figures related to imports and exports are certainly important; however, this progress would not have been possible without the determination of the leaders of both countries."

Tuzcu: "The collaborations we establish in third countries will also create new opportunities"

Deputy Minister of Trade Mustafa Tuzcu stated, "The United Arab Emirates is undoubtedly one of Türkiye's most important trade partners in the Gulf region. The strongest driving force behind the accelerated relations between Türkiye and the UAE in recent years has been the strong political will demonstrated at the highest level. Türkiye is a regional production and export hub with its strong industrial infrastructure, diversified production capability, flexible supply chains, and qualified human resources. The UAE, on the other hand, is an important center of attraction with its comprehensive transformation vision, large-scale investments, financial capacity, and regional economic influence. Investments by UAE companies in our country constitute another important dimension of our economic relations. The UAE ranks among the countries making the highest investments in Türkiye. Turkish companies' investments in the UAE, spanning from accommodation and logistics to construction and information technologies, continue to make significant contributions especially to the UAE's service sector. Turkish contracting firms have undertaken 154 projects worth USD 20 billion in the UAE to date. With these figures, the UAE has become the 10th country where Türkiye has undertaken the highest value of projects. Our companies have proven their competence in a broad range of projects from housing and airports to tunnels and tourism facilities. With their global knowledge and experience, our contractors are ready to undertake major infrastructure and superstructure projects in the UAE in the upcoming period. Furthermore, considering the potential of our economies, the collaborations we establish in third countries will also create new opportunities. Given the complementarity between Türkiye's strength in contracting and the UAE's strong financial capacity, there is significant potential for joint projects in Africa. Through the Development Road Project, we prioritize connecting the Gulf region to Europe and the Middle Corridor, while implementing joint projects by combining the international experience of Turkish contractors with the UAE's financing models."

Olpak: "With the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, our goal is to increase bilateral trade volume to USD 25 billion"

DEİK President Nail Olpak stated, "With the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which entered into force on September 1, 2023, the goal in Türkiye–UAE relations is to increase our bilateral trade volume to USD 25 billion within five years. In 2025, our bilateral trade volume reached approximately USD 19 billion in a balanced manner. Türkiye's exports to the UAE also amounted to USD 9.3 billion." Emphasizing that the economic structures of Türkiye and the UAE complement one another, Olpak continued, "Türkiye is an economic power with its production capacity, industrial infrastructure, and qualified workforce. The UAE, meanwhile, serves as one of the most effective trade platforms through its role as a finance, logistics, and distribution hub. This complementarity is a valuable advantage in the current global environment where diversification of supply chains is of critical importance. At a time when both the world and the Middle East are going through a challenging period marked by increasing geopolitical risks, volatility in energy markets, and the reshaping of global trade routes, our country — the largest investment, production, and technology hub between Western Europe and China — has a foreign trade volume exceeding USD 820 billion, including trade in services. We have significant investment opportunities in nearly every sector, from energy and industry to agriculture and infrastructure investments. I invite the UAE business community to benefit more from these opportunities by investing more in our country."

Akarca: "We can establish a more effective model of economic cooperation on a regional and global scale"

Chairperson of the DEİK/Türkiye–United Arab Emirates Business Council Mehmet Ali Akarca stated, "As the Business Council, through the business forums, delegation visits, and bilateral business meetings we have organized so far, we have enabled direct contact between our companies. In the current global conjuncture, diversification of supply chains and the development of alternative cooperation models are of great importance. We believe that Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates, by acting together during this process, can establish a more effective model of economic cooperation on both a regional and global scale. Important responsibilities fall upon our business communities in order to ensure that the economic relations between Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates become stronger, deeper, and more sustainable. In this process, the active participation and contributions of our valued businesspeople are of great importance."

The sponsors of the Business Forum were Kazed Group and KoçSistem.