ID :
91348
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 14:41
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https://www.oananews.org//node/91348
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Sheikha Lubna expresses optimism on Free Trade Agreement talks with EU
Abu Dhabi, Nov 24, 2009 (WAM) -
H.E Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade has expressed optimism on the talks of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks between EU and GCC.
"EU is considered to be the important economic block in terms of trade. There are also talks between UAE in particular and GCC in general with the block. Dialogue is still going on with the commission in Brussels on free trade agreement. So we are hopeful to overcome challenges in this regard", she said in a very confident tone while interacting with visiting foreign journalists here on Monday.
Rashid Ja'far from the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research conducted the interaction of Sheikha Lubna with media.
Over 90 foreign journalists from 46 countries have been invited by National Media Council (NMC), on the occasion of 38th National Day of UAE.
She described talks on the free trade with European countries as the longest negotiations with the EU and said that "we need to get a push from the European side to come down, it is just the matter of text and I am very hopeful and optimistic on these negotiations".
Sheikha Lubna underlined the need to learn from the economic crisis and take constructive steps to tackle any future crisis. "We have not learnt from the economic crisis, and whatever measures we take will be on sustainable basis. Increasing bilateral trade and creating a balance is very important".
She said that we should do away with protectionism policy as some countries are fearful of the implication because of the economic downturn. "We need to understand more economically, and be open about this".
Sheikha Lubna lauded the role of China in terms of export worldwide and said that UAE in particular and GCC in general have very excellent trade relations with China. There are negotiations going on between China and GCC on free trade agreement.
"China is probably the number two trading partner of UAE and India ranks as top. China has also individual trade agreement with many emirates and maintains a significant position as the largest exporter", she added.
On a question on Real Estate sector, she said that "if we look at the sector there are two demands working: one is the local demand, we have 80 per cent of the population of expats community and some are from the northern emirates coming to Dubai, a lot of investment from UK, Russia Germany and some other countries pulled out due to economic downturn that affected the real estate sector in Dubai.
Regarding a question about any American pressure on trade with Iran she said that the pressure comes at the world organisations level and it does not come on bilateral level.
In its overall frame, the UAE foreign trade policy is derived from the philosophy of economic openness to the world and positive interaction with trade partners. It is based on the principles of parity and mutual interests, she remarked.
H.E Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade has expressed optimism on the talks of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks between EU and GCC.
"EU is considered to be the important economic block in terms of trade. There are also talks between UAE in particular and GCC in general with the block. Dialogue is still going on with the commission in Brussels on free trade agreement. So we are hopeful to overcome challenges in this regard", she said in a very confident tone while interacting with visiting foreign journalists here on Monday.
Rashid Ja'far from the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research conducted the interaction of Sheikha Lubna with media.
Over 90 foreign journalists from 46 countries have been invited by National Media Council (NMC), on the occasion of 38th National Day of UAE.
She described talks on the free trade with European countries as the longest negotiations with the EU and said that "we need to get a push from the European side to come down, it is just the matter of text and I am very hopeful and optimistic on these negotiations".
Sheikha Lubna underlined the need to learn from the economic crisis and take constructive steps to tackle any future crisis. "We have not learnt from the economic crisis, and whatever measures we take will be on sustainable basis. Increasing bilateral trade and creating a balance is very important".
She said that we should do away with protectionism policy as some countries are fearful of the implication because of the economic downturn. "We need to understand more economically, and be open about this".
Sheikha Lubna lauded the role of China in terms of export worldwide and said that UAE in particular and GCC in general have very excellent trade relations with China. There are negotiations going on between China and GCC on free trade agreement.
"China is probably the number two trading partner of UAE and India ranks as top. China has also individual trade agreement with many emirates and maintains a significant position as the largest exporter", she added.
On a question on Real Estate sector, she said that "if we look at the sector there are two demands working: one is the local demand, we have 80 per cent of the population of expats community and some are from the northern emirates coming to Dubai, a lot of investment from UK, Russia Germany and some other countries pulled out due to economic downturn that affected the real estate sector in Dubai.
Regarding a question about any American pressure on trade with Iran she said that the pressure comes at the world organisations level and it does not come on bilateral level.
In its overall frame, the UAE foreign trade policy is derived from the philosophy of economic openness to the world and positive interaction with trade partners. It is based on the principles of parity and mutual interests, she remarked.
