Overview
- Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu told Reuters that negotiations on a comprehensive economic partnership with the United Arab Emirates will begin next month.
- Sidhu said Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC is looking at Canadian natural gas projects, with reporting noting an up to $50‑billion Abu Dhabi investment commitment in areas including energy.
- In Doha, Sidhu and Qatar’s Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sayed agreed to advance talks on a foreign investment protection agreement and to launch a Canada‑Qatar business council, with Al Sayed planning a business delegation to Canada this year.
- A Canadian delegation promoted aerospace and defence capabilities during a tour of CAE’s military simulator centre in Doha and engaged Qatari business leaders including Qatar Airways and the Qatar Chamber.
- During a stop in Riyadh, Sidhu met Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al‑Falih and welcomed the launch of negotiations on a bilateral investment agreement, aligning with Canada’s goal to double non‑U.S. exports over the next decade and upcoming travel to China with Prime Minister Mark Carney.