Canada Secures New Trade and Investment Agreements with the United Arab Emirates

Canada UAE trade agreements announced during Prime Minister Carney’s visit include a new FIPA, CEPA negotiations, and major investment commitments to strengthen economic ties.

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates — Prime Minister Mark Carney has concluded an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), securing a series of major agreements aimed at deepening trade ties, attracting new investment into Canada, and advancing the federal government’s strategy to diversify international markets.

The trip comes as Canada seeks to double non-U.S. exports over the next decade and unlock $1 trillion in investment over five years. The government has framed this shift as essential to navigating global economic uncertainty and rapid geopolitical change.

Canada and UAE Sign New Investment Protection Agreement

During the visit, Prime Minister Carney and UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan signed the Canada-UAE Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA).

According to the government, the agreement establishes clear and predictable rules for investors in both countries, creating a stable environment expected to generate billions in bilateral investment.

Once in force, the FIPA will allow Canadian firms across sectors such as engineering, construction, clean technology, and artificial intelligence to expand into the UAE with greater confidence while supporting job creation and long-term partnerships in Canada.

At today’s Canada-UAE Investment Summit, businesses from both our nations came together to make deals that will drive massive new investments in Canada — deals that will build a strong economy and create thousands of new careers. pic.twitter.com/fVQhYr0FfF

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) November 21, 2025

Negotiations Begin on a Canada UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

Canada and the UAE also announced the launch of negotiations toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

A CEPA is designed to:

• reduce tariffs

• eliminate administrative barriers

• expand market access for goods and services

• create new opportunities in digital sectors

With the UAE’s $700 billion economy and rapidly expanding logistics capacity, the government says the agreement could double bilateral trade from $3.4 billion to $7 billion within a decade—similar to the growth Canada achieved with past agreements with South Korea and Chile.

UAE Confirms $70 Billion Investment into Canada

The federal government says the UAE has made a historic commitment to invest $70 billion (US$50 billion) in Canada, a move described as a major milestone in bilateral relations and a boost to national economic growth.

Discussions with UAE sovereign wealth funds focused on investment opportunities in:

• critical minerals

• ports and logistics

• energy

• artificial intelligence

• data infrastructure

The government says the investment will support high-paying careers across the country and help accelerate major nation-building projects.

New Commercial, Innovation, and Business Initiatives

A series of initiatives were also announced to expand commercial, innovation, and bilateral business ties:

• Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu will lead a Canadian business delegation to the UAE in early 2026.

• Canadian pension funds, with a combined $2 trillion in capital, will visit the UAE next year to explore long-term investment partnerships.

• UAE sovereign wealth funds will travel to Canada to identify new opportunities in energy, infrastructure, and technology.

• Direct commercial flights between Canada and the UAE will increase, enhancing tourism, cargo movement, and trade.

Several agreements were concluded or advanced at the Canada-UAE Investment Summit, including:

• Mila partnering with the UAE’s Technology Innovation Institute on AI architecture research

• BlackBerry partnering with the UAE Cyber Security Council

• Invest in Canada working with the UAE Ministry of Investment to identify large-scale Canadian investment opportunities

Statement from the Prime Minister

In the official release, Prime Minister Carney said:

“In a more divided and dangerous world, Canada is securing new deals with new partners. Our agreements with the UAE will attract billions of dollars in investments into Canada, open new markets and opportunities for our workers and businesses, and create high-paying careers across the country. Canada is diversifying our trade and finding new investors to fuel our plans to build Canada strong.”

Expanding Global Partnerships

The visit builds on a series of recent high-level engagements:

• A June 2025 visit to Canada by UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, focused on trade, innovation, and regional stability

• A recent trip to the UAE by Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Evan Solomon, which resulted in a bilateral memorandum of understanding on AI and emerging technologies

With over 150 Canadian companies operating in the UAE and an estimated 60,000 Canadians living and working there, the two countries maintain one of Canada’s most robust economic relationships in the Middle East.

Prime Minister Carney also reaffirmed Canada’s longstanding work toward a just and sustainable peace in the Middle East, emphasizing collaboration with international partners to promote regional stability.

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