Post by : Badri Ariffin

Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi highlighted the UAE's proactive measures to safeguard global trade flows and ensure economic stability amid the ongoing conflict in Iran.

Speaking at the GLOBSEC Forum 2026 in Prague during a session titled “The Ripple Effect: How the Iran War is Shaping Global Economies and Politics”, Al Zeyoudi detailed the UAE's swift response to the disruptions impacting international shipping and supply chains.

He stated that the UAE has activated alternative trade routes to secure the continuous transit of goods across the region. This initiative includes an increased reliance on the eastern ports of Fujairah and Khorfakkan, the establishment of air freight links for urgent food and pharmaceutical deliveries, a Green Corridor in collaboration with Oman, and a newly initiated trade bridge between Sharjah and Dammam.

Additionally, Al Zeyoudi unveiled the establishment of a AED 1 billion economic support fund aimed at assisting businesses in maintaining operations throughout this challenging period. The initiative primarily targets small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) impacted by the regional trade disturbances.

Furthermore, the UAE Central Bank has introduced a Five-Pillar Financial Institution Resilience Package focused on sustaining credit availability and ensuring financial stability throughout the nation.

Al Zeyoudi noted that the current crisis has expedited the UAE’s long-term strategies to enhance Gulf logistics and fortify a resilient trade infrastructure.

He remarked that the UAE’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) initiative continues to play a pivotal role in broadening foreign trade horizons. To date, the programme has facilitated 36 agreements with nations across six continents, contributing to the UAE’s non-oil foreign trade reaching an impressive US$1.03 trillion by 2025.

As per Al Zeyoudi, the UAE remains a vital global trade and investment nexus, linking markets throughout the Gulf, Africa, and Asia. He emphasized that the nation's role in international trade is even more crucial amidst the prevailing geopolitical tensions.

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