Punjab and UAE Strengthen Bilateral Relations: Trade, Investment, and Direct Flight Talks

Punjab and UAE Strengthen Bilateral Relations: Trade, Investment, and Direct Flight Talks

Punjab and UAE Explore Stronger Bilateral Trade and Investment Opportunities

Chandigarh, March 13, 2025 – In a significant move aimed at bolstering trade and investment ties, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann recently met with the UAE Ambassador to India, H.E. Dr. Abdulnasser Jamal Alshaali. The meeting, which focused on strengthening bilateral relations between Punjab and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), explored numerous avenues for collaboration in trade, commerce, and cultural exchange.

During the meeting, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann presented Punjab as a state with immense opportunities, highlighting its agricultural strength, industrial growth, and flourishing business ecosystem. He emphasized that the shared interests of Punjab and the UAE in trade and commerce could be leveraged for mutual benefit, creating new pathways for growth and economic engagement.

Punjab’s Agricultural Potential and UAE’s Food Security

A key topic during the discussions was Punjab’s agricultural sector. As the food bowl of India, Punjab is well-positioned to meet the UAE’s food security needs, especially in areas such as dairy products, agri-processing, and food production. With UAE’s growing demand for food imports to cater to its expanding population, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann emphasized that Punjab’s abundant agricultural output could be a crucial partner in fulfilling these requirements.

Furthermore, both parties expressed interest in exploring other areas of collaboration, such as IT, logistics, healthcare, and education. Punjab’s rapidly growing business ecosystem offers vast opportunities for UAE investors, and the UAE’s expertise in various sectors can provide a valuable complement to Punjab’s industrial landscape.

Proposal for a Joint Working Group (JWG) to Facilitate Collaboration

To ensure a structured and targeted approach to future collaborations, CM Mann proposed the creation of a Joint Working Group (JWG). The JWG will be tasked with identifying key areas of mutual interest and formulating strategies to enhance trade, investment, and cultural exchange between the two regions. This group will serve as a catalyst for more focused and impactful partnerships between Punjab and the UAE in the coming years.

Direct Air Connectivity: A Key to Enhanced Trade and Tourism

A significant part of the discussions centered on the need for direct air connectivity between Punjab and the UAE. Currently, travelers from Punjab, including businessmen, professionals, and the NRI community, have to travel to Delhi to board flights to the UAE, creating logistical challenges.

Both CM Bhagwant Singh Mann and the UAE Ambassador agreed that direct flights from Amritsar and Chandigarh (Mohali) to UAE cities, such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, would drastically improve trade flows, encourage tourism, and make travel easier for the large diaspora population. Direct flights would not only provide greater convenience but also help reduce air travel costs, thereby encouraging more business exchanges and enhancing overall economic engagement.

In response, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann assured the UAE Ambassador that he would raise the issue of direct flights with the Union Civil Aviation Minister in the near future. The Chief Minister’s office aims to secure approval for these flights through UAE-based airlines, thereby improving access for Punjab-based businesses and citizens wishing to connect with the UAE.

Strengthening Punjab-UAE Economic Ties

Punjab and the UAE share a long-standing relationship rooted in trade, investment, and cultural exchange. The UAE is home to a large Punjabi diaspora, many of whom are actively involved in business and trade. Punjab’s agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors present vast opportunities for UAE companies seeking to invest in India’s growing economy.

The Punjab government has been proactively engaging with international partners to open new doors for investment and economic development. The meeting with the UAE Ambassador is part of these ongoing efforts, which also reflect Punjab’s ambitions to position itself as a leading hub for global trade and investment.

The Path Forward: A Shared Vision for Future Cooperation

The meeting between CM Bhagwant Singh Mann and UAE Ambassador Dr. Abdulnasser Jamal Alshaali concluded on a positive note, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepening economic ties. The discussions provided a roadmap for future collaborations, focusing on long-term trade and investment partnerships that can drive mutual growth for both Punjab and the UAE.

Along with the Chief Minister, the meeting was attended by Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sondh, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Additional Chief Secretary Tejveer Singh, CEO of Invest Punjab Amit Dhaka, and other senior officials from the Punjab government, further indicating the serious commitment to making this collaboration a success.

Key Takeaways from the Punjab-UAE Trade Talks:

• Bilateral trade potential in agriculture, IT, logistics, healthcare, and education.
• Proposal for direct air connectivity from Amritsar and Chandigarh to UAE, aimed at boosting trade, tourism, and ease of travel for the Punjabi diaspora.
• Formation of a Joint Working Group (JWG) to evaluate trade opportunities and create strategies for future collaboration.
• Emphasis on strengthening the relationship between Punjab and the UAE for long-term economic growth.