The UAE has announced plans to invest €40 billion in Germany across a number of sectors that represent strategic and development priorities for both countries. These include industry, advanced technology, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and energy.
The announcement builds on the growing momentum in UAE-Germany relations and coincides with the state visit of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the country.
The investment reflects the UAE's approach to fostering long-term economic and investment partnerships and its confidence in Germany's industrial, technological and innovation capabilities. Of the €40 billion, €10 billion will be allocated for investment in the German state of Bavaria.
Marking a significant expansion of the UAE-Germany economic partnership, the investment brings together Germany's advanced industrial, technological and research capabilities with the UAE's investment expertise and capacity to support major projects and accelerate their growth. It will create new opportunities for companies and institutions in both countries to establish enduring partnerships and deepen cooperation in sectors expected to drive growth and competitiveness in the coming decades.
At the same time, closer cooperation with Germany will enable the UAE to expand its investment presence in one of Europe's leading industrial and technological economies and benefit from German expertise in areas that support the UAE's knowledge and innovation-driven economy. The investment also provides a platform for greater exchange of knowledge, skills and experience between the two countries while advancing their shared economic interests and supporting the industries and technologies of the future, said a WAM news agency report.
Beyond its financial value, the investment lays the foundations for a long-term strategic partnership that combines UAE investment expertise with Germany's industrial, technological and innovation strengths, reinforcing the two countries' role as partners in shaping future-oriented industries and supporting sustainable economic growth.
Meanwhile, HH Sheikh Mohamed and Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany, witnessed the announcement of a number of agreements, memoranda of understanding and letters of intent aimed at further advancing cooperation between the two countries across a range of priority sectors.
The agreements, MOUs and letters of intent announced today include:
1. Joint Declaration of Intent on the Establishment of the UAE-German Investment Council
2. Declaration on the Launch of the Strategic Dialogue
3. Memorandum Concerning Air Transport Arrangements and Access Rights for UAE National Carriers to Berlin Airport
4. Cooperation Arrangement towards the Development of an International Initiative to Facilitate Passenger Procedures
5. Letter of Intent on Exploring a Framework for Cooperation in Defence and Security
6. Joint Declaration of Intent on the Continued Expansion of Cooperation in the Field of Energy
7. Joint Declaration of Intent on Investment in Data Centres in Germany
8. Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Combating All Forms of Crime
9. Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters
10. Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of the Environment
11. Draft Letter of Intent on Establishing Cooperation in Data Hosting and Information Systems
12. Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Culture
The agreements, memoranda and letters were exchanged on behalf of the UAE by Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Chairman of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security; Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Germany; Mohamed bin Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Defence Affairs; Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Minister of State; and Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State, and on behalf of Germany by the relevant ministers and officials.
Dr Al Jaber said: “The UAE invests for the long term and builds partnerships that endure. Germany has been an important strategic and economic partner for decades and the additional €40 billion intended investment reflects our ambition to invest in that relationship for the years ahead."
He added: "Building on the €34 billion the UAE has already invested in Germany, we will support the industries, technologies and skilled jobs that will drive future growth and competitiveness. For Germany, it will bring long-term investment that reinforces competitiveness and creates jobs, supporting industrial capacity, innovation and skilled employment; strengthening energy security and supply chains; and helping German businesses continue to compete and grow internationally."
"For the UAE, our investment commitment and the new Council bring world-class German capabilities into the UAE’s rapidly growing economic platform. They create opportunities to invest alongside leading German industrial and technology companies, deepen UAE capabilities in strategic sectors, and build businesses that can serve growth markets across the Gulf, Asia and Africa," the minister continued.
Dr Al Jaber concluded by saying that the UAE–Germany Investment Council will "help translate this long-term partnership into tangible economic outcomes, connecting capital with commercial opportunities, strengthening industrial and supply-chain resilience, and creating sustainable value for both countries.”
