RIYADH: The UAE and Scotland have formalized a new partnership aimed at boosting bilateral investment and economic cooperation.
According to a press release, the UAE’s Ministry of Investment and the Scottish Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a structured framework to promote and facilitate mutual investment flows.
The agreement, inked by Mohammad Abdulrahman Al-Hawi, undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Investment, and Kate Forbes, Scotland’s deputy first minister, aims to strengthen coordination between government bodies, investment agencies, and private sector stakeholders in both nations.
Al-Hawi said that the agreement “reinforces the Ministry of Investment’s commitment to building lasting and meaningful partnerships with leading global economies.”
He added that it builds on sustained engagement between the UAE and Scotland and reflects shared ambition to translate dialogue into tangible outcomes.
“We look forward to deepening this partnership further and creating high-quality investment opportunities that benefit our respective business ecosystems and support long-term, sustainable growth,” the minister said.
The collaboration is designed to encourage the exchange of capital, technology, and expertise, supporting sustainable growth and economic diversification.
Key areas of cooperation under the MoU include exchanging information on investment policies, identifying sector-specific opportunities, and facilitating public-private partnerships. A core focus will be on enhancing business engagement through events such as forums, exhibitions, and investment missions.
This builds on the success of the Investopia Global Edinburgh event in December and plans for further joint activities throughout 2026, including a larger-scale Investopia Global event in Scotland later in the year.
Forbes emphasized that the MoU marks an important step in deepening Scotland’s economic engagement with the UAE.
“By connecting our entrepreneurs with UAE partners and investors, we are creating real opportunities for jobs and prosperity across Scotland. This is about practical support that will help Scottish companies compete and thrive in global markets,” she said.
The Scottish official added: “We set out efforts in the draft Scottish budget to boost business and entrepreneurial growth and new initiatives such as the First Minister’s Start Up Challenge are backing business to deliver.”
The MoU also promotes knowledge transfer and capacity building through training programs and institutional partnerships. Implementation will be managed by designated focal points from both sides, who will oversee activities and agree on forward work plans.
