Minister Jones will meet with potential investors and government officials in the UAE from Feb. 22 to 27 to discuss areas of opportunity and advance shared interests in energy, agriculture, artificial intelligence and technology. This mission builds on the success of the minister’s fall 2024 UAE trip, reinforcing the Alberta-UAE partnership. It also highlights Alberta’s strengths as an investment destination, including our competitive tax system, skilled workforce and abundance of natural resources.

“Alberta’s government is committed to working with its national and international partners to diversify its trade relationships around the world. The UAE is a key market for Alberta-based companies looking to expand and diversify their exports. This trade mission will help enhance Alberta’s trade relationship with the Middle East, strengthening this economic partnership for many years to come.”

Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade

While in the UAE, Minister Jones will participate in Investopia, an annual conference connecting investors, business leaders and governments to address economic changes, challenges and innovation. This conference also aims to identify new investment opportunities and accelerate growth in global expanding economies.

Minister Jones will be joined by one staff member. Mission expenses will be posted on the travel and expense disclosure page.

Alberta’s government is committed to working with its national and international partners to advance opportunities for Albertans and their businesses around the world. Government-led trade missions enhance Alberta’s trade market access and help Alberta businesses diversify into new international markets.

Quick facts

  • The UAE is Alberta’s 14th-largest trading partner.
  • Alberta’s government values its longstanding relationship with the UAE, a partnership that has strengthened both economies with bilateral trade exceeding $350 million in 2023.
  • In 2023, Alberta’s exports to the UAE reached almost $242 million.
    • Top Alberta exports included food and agriculture ($130.6 million), machinery ($82.9 million) and metal, stone or glass ($13.1 million).
  • Alberta’s imports from the UAE were $67.8 million in 2023, consisting primarily of articles of iron or steel, jewelry, plastic and iron pipes, chemicals and cargo containers.
    • The top Alberta import from the UAE was structures or parts of structures for prefabricated buildings, comprising 48.4 per cent of total Alberta imports from UAE in 2023.

Itinerary for Minister Jones*

Feb. 22 - 23

  • Travel to Dubai, UAE.

Feb. 23 - 24

  • Meetings and briefings with government and industry leaders.

Feb. 25

  • Travel to Abu Dhabi, UAE.
  • Meetings and briefings with government and industry leaders.

Feb. 26

  • Attend Investopia.
  • Meetings and briefings with government and industry leaders.

Feb. 27

  • Return to Alberta.

*Subject to change.

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