UAE looks to deepen Panama ties as trade jumps nearly 50%

The UAE is looking to strengthen trade and investment ties with Panama after non-oil trade between the two countries rose by almost 50 per cent last year.

Minister of Foreign Trade Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi held a series of high-level meetings in Panama City with government ministers, lawmakers and business leaders to explore new opportunities for economic cooperation and expand investment in key sectors.

Non-oil trade between the UAE and Panama reached $186 million in 2025, marking a 49.7 per cent increase compared with the previous year, highlighting growing momentum in bilateral economic relations.

Talks focused on boosting cooperation in areas including logistics, transport, technology, renewable energy, agriculture, healthcare, financial services and advanced manufacturing, while strengthening supply chains and encouraging greater private-sector investment.

Dr Al Zeyoudi also met officials responsible for the Panama Canal, toured the Panama Pacifico Special Economic Area and took part in the Global Leaders Forum, where he highlighted the importance of investing in ports, airports, transport networks and digital infrastructure to support global trade.

He said the UAE and Panama serve as two strategic gateways for international commerce and share a commitment to strengthening supply chains, facilitating the movement of goods and supporting a rules-based global trading system.

The visit forms part of the UAE's Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) programme, which aims to expand the country's global trade network and increase non-oil foreign trade through closer economic partnerships.