On behalf of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, is leading the UAE delegation at the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting in Minsk, Belarus, on Friday, June 27, 2025.
The UAE’s participation in this high-level gathering as a guest of honour follows an invitation from His Excellency Alexander Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Belarus, as reported by the Abu Dhabi Media Office.
This invitation underscores the growing diplomatic and economic ties between the UAE and the Eurasian region, reflecting the UAE’s expanding role on the global economic stage.
Promoting regional collaboration
The Supreme Eurasian Economic Council is the highest governing body of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which comprises Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. The Council is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the EAEU, approving key policies, and overseeing the implementation of economic integration among member states. It meets regularly to discuss trade, customs, investment, and regulatory cooperation to promote seamless economic collaboration across the Eurasian region.
The EAEU aims to create a unified economic space with free movement of goods, services, capital, and labor, fostering economic growth and stability among its members. The Council plays a pivotal role in shaping policies that impact millions of people and billions of dollars in trade and investment flows.
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Economic cooperation and future prospects
The UAE has been actively pursuing bilateral and multilateral trade agreements to position itself as a global hub connecting East and West. Engagement with the Eurasian Economic Union aligns with this vision, offering access to a market of over 180 million people and a combined GDP exceeding $2 trillion.
Potential areas of cooperation include trade facilitation, which involves streamlining customs procedures and reducing trade barriers to increase the flow of goods between the UAE and EAEU member states. Additionally, there are investment opportunities that encourage mutual investments in infrastructure, renewable energy, manufacturing, and technology sectors. Enhancing financial services is also crucial, as it aims to improve cross-border banking, insurance, and fintech collaboration to support business growth. Finally, promoting cultural and educational exchange will help build long-term partnerships by fostering people-to-people ties and knowledge sharing.
Strengthening diplomatic relations
The UAE’s invitation by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko highlights the strengthening diplomatic relations between the two countries. Belarus, a key member of the EAEU, has been expanding its international partnerships, and the UAE’s involvement signals mutual interest in fostering economic and political ties.
This meeting also provides a platform for the UAE to showcase its economic resilience and innovation-driven growth model, which has transformed the country into a global business and investment destination.
Growing bilateral trade
The bilateral trade relationship between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Belarus has been steadily growing, driven by complementary economic needs and strengthened strategic partnerships. According to recent data, the UAE exported approximately $589 million worth of goods to Belarus in 2023, with key exports including broadcasting and electrical equipment, machinery, vehicles, and various manufactured products. Belarus, meanwhile, exported around $45 million worth of goods to the UAE, primarily consisting of chemical products, manmade fibers, machinery, and agricultural items.
This growing trade volume reflects the deepening economic ties between the two nations, supported by a series of trade agreements and mutual investments. The UAE has emerged as one of the top three largest investors in Belarus, with investments exceeding $4 billion, spanning sectors such as technology, urban development, hospitality, defense, and food industries. This substantial investment footprint underscores the UAE’s commitment to diversifying its economic partnerships beyond traditional markets and Belarus’s strategic role as a gateway to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
The UAE-Belarus trade corridor is particularly significant because it connects the dynamic Gulf markets with Eastern Europe, offering both countries access to broader regional markets. For the UAE, Belarus provides an entry point into the EAEU, which includes Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan, while Belarus benefits from the UAE’s global logistics and trade networks linking Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Focus on sustainable development
Key industries driving this bilateral trade include petrochemicals, machinery, agriculture, and technology. The UAE exports mainly electronics and luxury goods, while Belarus supplies machinery, agricultural products, and petrochemical products. Both countries are increasingly focusing on sustainable development sectors such as renewable energy, green technologies, and digital innovation, aligning with their national visions for economic diversification and technological advancement.
Trade facilitation has improved significantly with the completion of negotiations on a free trade agreement between the UAE and the Eurasian Economic Union. The agreement aims to streamline customs procedures, reduce trade barriers, and enhance investment protections, paving the way for increased economic cooperation.
The UAE’s investments in Belarus are also notable for their sectoral diversity. Approximately $150 million has been directed toward modernizing Belarusian banks and financial institutions to support digital transformation. Infrastructure projects, including logistics centers and industrial zones, have received around $120 million in UAE funding, facilitating better connectivity between Belarus and broader European and Asian markets. The technology sector has attracted about $80 million, supporting IT industry growth and digitalization efforts. Investments in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure total roughly $50 million, while agriculture and food production have seen around $30 million in funding aimed at boosting competitiveness.
