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Belarus’s Minsk as the Gulf nation’s investments in Belarus now total more than $4 billion, the United Arab Emirates has reiterated its commitment to deepening economic ties with the Eastern European nation. The opening of the cutting-edge International Exhibition Center in Minsk, a flagship project under the Northern Waterfront project and a representation of rising bilateral collaboration, brought attention to this expanding partnership.
A New Era of Economic Collaboration
UAE Ambassador to Belarus Ibrahim Salem Al Musharrakh and UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi were present during the center’s ceremonial opening. Belarusian Prime Minister Alexander Turchin and Foreign Affairs Minister Maksim Ryzhenkov welcomed Dr. Al Zeyoudi, who participated in high-level talks of expanding non-oil trade and investment.
The crucial significance the new exhibition center would play in promoting cross-sector business prospects was underlined by officials. According to Minsk Mayor Vladimir Kukharev, the 37,000-square-meter facility is a “model of investment and economic integration,” built to the highest international standards and capable of hosting a variety of international events.
Northern Waterfront: A Visionary Development
The exhibition center marks the initial phase of the ambitious Northern Waterfront project, a joint UAE-Belarus initiative aimed at transforming the capital’s northern district. The project will integrate cultural, residential, educational, and sports infrastructure, all aligned with Minsk’s natural environment and sustainable development goals.
“This development is more than just real estate,” said Dmitry Pantus, Chairman of Belarus’s State Authority for Military Industry and head of the Belarusian side of the UAE-Belarus Joint Committee. “It reflects our growing strategic cooperation with the UAE, including plans for a future smart economic city.”
Record Growth in Bilateral Trade
In addition to direct investment, economic cooperation between the UAE and Belarus has surged in trade. Dr. Al Zeyoudi revealed that non-oil trade between the two countries increased by a staggering 483% in 2024 compared to the previous year, reaching a record $3.9 billion. This growth, he said, is a direct outcome of the UAE’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which includes Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia.
“The UAE is committed to expanding cooperation across all sectors,” Al Zeyoudi noted. “Our trade relationship is thriving, and we are eager to explore new frontiers, particularly in food production and industrial manufacturing, where Belarus holds a competitive advantage.”
Expanding Investment Horizons
UAE investments in Belarus now span key sectors including defense, technology, urban development, and hospitality. Al Zeyoudi confirmed that Emirati companies are showing strong interest in Belarus’s food and industrial capabilities, citing the country’s robust infrastructure and skilled labor force as major draws.
He declared, “The Northern Waterfront project is just the beginning.” “We are establishing the groundwork for a forward-thinking smart city that will draw in foreign capital and hasten Belarus’s economic modernization.”
The UAE’s presence in Belarus is set to increase even further as both countries continue to strengthen their economic ties, bringing in a new age of regional collaboration and shared prosperity.
