UAE Trade Minister Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi said that BRICS represents an important platform for enhancing economic cooperation, stressing the importance of coordination between emerging markets to address global trade challenges.
Al Zeyoudi explained, following his participation in the 2026 BRICS trade ministers’ meeting in Jaipur, India, that the UAE’s participation in the meeting, which was held under India’s presidency of the group, reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to expanding economic and trade cooperation with member states.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Al Zeyoudi held bilateral talks with ministers and officials from India, Russia, China, Egypt, Indonesia and South Africa, which addressed strengthening trade and investment, expanding cooperation in priority sectors and supporting private sector participation.
He also discussed with Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal the latest developments in the implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and India, along with opportunities to expand cooperation in trade in services, digital trade, logistics and food security.
Al Zeyoudi stressed that BRICS represents a vital platform to support international economic cooperation and promote an open and stable trade environment, in light of the instability witnessed in global trade.
The UAE’s non-oil foreign trade with BRICS countries recorded record growth during 2025, after its value exceeded $312 billion, an increase of 28.5% compared to $243 billion in 2024.
The group's countries accounted for about 31% of the UAE's total non-oil foreign trade last year, and accounted for 34% of the country's imports and 23% of its non-oil exports, in addition to 28% of total re-exports.
