Emirati and French ministers discuss ways to boost economic cooperation

Olivier Becht, the French foreign trade minister said that the UAE is a key trading partner in the region for France. (WAM)
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Updated 14 July 2023
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Emirati and French ministers discuss ways to boost economic cooperation

  • Abdullah Al-Marri and Olivier Becht reviewed options for trade and investment in startups, the circular economy, tourism, technology, family businesses, renewable energy and agriculture

ABU DHABI: Abdullah Al-Marri, the UAE’s minister of economy, and Olivier Becht, the French foreign trade minister, discussed ways in which economic cooperation might be boosted when they met in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, the Emirates News Agency reported.

In particular, they reviewed options for stimulating bilateral trade and investment in innovative startups, the circular economy, tourism, technology, family businesses, renewable energy and agriculture.

“The UAE-French relations are distinguished by a strong and sustainable strategic partnership across all fields, and enjoy the support and forward-looking vision of the leadership of the two countries,” said Al-Marri.

“Especially in light of the high-level official visits exchanged by the two countries lately, notably that of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan to France last May, which gives a clear indication of the desire of the two countries to boost their bilateral relations across various fronts.”

Becht said that the UAE is a key trading partner in the region for France and that the recently established French-Emirati Business Council is helping to improve economic and trade relations.


Syria says 120 Daesh detainees escaped prison; Kurdish website said 1,500 escaped

Updated 20 January 2026
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Syria says 120 Daesh detainees escaped prison; Kurdish website said 1,500 escaped

  • The Syrian ministry said Syrian army units and ministry special forces entered Shaddadi following the breakout

CAIRO: Syria’s Interior Ministry ​said on Tuesday that about 120 Daesh detainees escaped from Shaddadi prison, after the Kurdish website Rudaw reported that a spokesperson for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, ‌Farhad Shami, said ‌around 1,500 Daesh ⁠members ​had ‌escaped.
The Syrian ministry said Syrian army units and ministry special forces entered Shaddadi following the breakout. It said security forces had recaptured 81 of the escapees ⁠after search and sweep operations in ‌the town and surrounding ‍areas, with efforts ‍continuing to arrest the ‍remaining fugitives.
Earlier, the Syrian army said “a number of” Daesh militants had escaped a prison that had ​been under SDF control in the eastern city of Shaddadi, ⁠accusing the SDF of releasing them.
After days of fighting with government forces, the SDF agreed on Sunday to withdraw from both Raqqa and Deir Ezzor, two Arab-majority provinces they had controlled for years and the location of Syria’s main oil fields.