Kruuse meets with UAE minister for foreign trade, Australian consul general

TALLINN – Estonian Minister of Rural Affairs Urmas Kruuse within the framework of Expo 2020 on Thursday met with Ian Halliday, the consul general of Australia in Dubai, who gave an overview of Australia's activities in entering the market in the Persian Gulf region, as well as United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani Al Zeyoud.

The consul general emphasized that each country must be approached individually and that consistency is a prerequisite for success in promoting exports. In some countries, it is important to appoint an export adviser. In addition, it is worth having an on-site partner who is familiar with local conditions and rules.

The consul general affirmed that the UAE is the gateway to the Persian Gulf. Kruuse and Halliday said the pandemic has brought food security to the forefront of the agenda across the world.

Kruuse's second meeting was with UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani Al Zeyoud, who thanked the Estonian state for actively using the opportunities of Expo 2020. Within the framework of the fair, Estonia has brought business delegations from very different sectors to the UAE. The minister of rural affairs was accompanied by a business delegation consisting of representatives of agriculture and food producers.

The UAE minister was open to various opportunities for cooperation, in particular with regard to data processing covering the entire supply chain.

The importance of launching a business council between the UAE and Estonia to enhance cooperation was also noted at the meeting.