UAE and Central–Eastern Europe deepen economic ties as Investopia launches a strategic forum to boost cooperation in AI, space, defence, energy, and fast-growing future industries….reports Asian Lite News
The UAE’s global investment platform, Investopia, has launched a new chapter in its international engagement with the inaugural CEE–UAE Investopia Strategic Economic Forum in Dubai, bringing together senior officials, ministers, business leaders, and investors from across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) to deepen cooperation in the industries shaping the world’s future. The forum, organised in partnership with Euro Atlantic Consulting, aims to build meaningful economic bridges between the UAE and the CEE region by expanding investment channels and accelerating collaboration across the new economy, artificial intelligence, space, defence, energy, and advanced technologies.
Held in the presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of Investopia, the gathering served as a platform to examine how geopolitical shifts, emerging industries, and evolving market dynamics are redefining global economic engagement. Bin Touq joined a high-level panel on geopolitical and geo-economic restructuring alongside senior representatives from Montenegro and Hungary, highlighting the deepening strategic ties between the UAE and CEE nations.
He noted that economic relations between both sides have steadily expanded in recent years, supported by agreements to eliminate double taxation and protect and promote investments—mechanisms he said have created a stable environment for long-term business growth. He added that nearly 17,400 CEE companies currently operate across various sectors in the UAE, demonstrating the scale of existing engagement and the growing appeal of the Emirates as a base for international expansion.
Bin Touq said the launch of the new forum marks a “pivotal step” in shaping sustainable, high-impact partnerships between the UAE and CEE countries, aligning with Investopia’s mission to support dialogue among business leaders and policymakers while highlighting emerging global finance and investment trends. The initiative, he said, would unlock new opportunities in advanced technology, renewable energy, logistics, the knowledge economy, and other future-facing sectors where both regions possess competitive advantages.
Dr Tamás Fellegi, Founder and Chairman of Euro Atlantic Consulting, said the forum serves as a “critical platform” for expanding partnerships, driving innovation, and aligning national strategies with global investment flows. He affirmed that Investopia and Euro Atlantic will continue supporting the development of actionable, long-term collaborations born from the forum’s discussions.
Throughout the day, sector-focused panels explored areas central to future cooperation between the UAE and CEE. A session on investment enablers in the UAE examined the country’s business-friendly policies, flexible regulatory framework, and readiness to support international investors, with insights from Dr Fadel Jaoui of the Ministry of Investment. Speakers emphasised the role of Euro Atlantic in helping CEE businesses navigate GCC markets by offering advisory, project management, and market-entry solutions.
The growing strength of CEE countries in advanced industries was highlighted during the session “Future Horizon: Artificial Intelligence, Space, and Defence”, featuring senior representatives from Slovakia, Hungary, and the UAE. The discussion explored how technological capabilities in space, defence, and communications—traditional areas of strength for many CEE states—can be leveraged in partnership with the UAE’s growing demand for advanced solutions and sovereign industrial capability. Participants agreed that both regions stand to gain significantly by aligning their innovation-focused national agendas.
In another session, 4iG Group CEO Peter Fekete outlined a detailed picture of upcoming investment opportunities in space, defence, and communications across the CEE region, emphasising the sectors’ importance in driving global competitiveness.
The forum also spotlighted the UAE’s growing role as a global node for innovation and trade during the session “Dubai: A Global Platform for Connectivity, Growth, and Sustainability.” Mohammed Sharaf of Dubai Economic Development Corporation highlighted how the UAE’s geographic positioning, expansive trade network, and pro-growth economic legislation create an environment in which global businesses can scale quickly. He noted that these frameworks open new pathways for deeper cooperation with CEE markets and help diversify the region’s investment ties.
Energy transition emerged as another major area of collaboration during the session “Energy Transitions: The Resilience of CEE Economies and the Flow of GCC Capital.” Experts from the nuclear, petrochemical, and renewable energy sectors examined how Central and Eastern Europe’s industrial capabilities can be integrated with GCC investment to build sustainable, high-value projects. Speakers emphasised that aligning financing mechanisms with technological capacity would be crucial to advancing future energy partnerships.
Further discussions focused on European economic policies during the session “Policies and New Pathways: What Europe Offers,” where former ministers from Croatia, Slovakia, and Hungary outlined export, economic, and regulatory opportunities available to UAE investors seeking to expand across Europe.
A practical session titled “From Idea to Enterprise: Setting Up in the UAE” detailed the ease of establishing businesses in the Emirates and the competitive advantages offered to entrepreneurs. Representatives from Dubai Silicon Oasis and the private sector outlined how supportive government frameworks have made the UAE one of the world’s fastest and most efficient places to launch new ventures.
The forum concluded with a directive to hold new editions of Investopia’s Global Dialogues next year across multiple cities in Central and Eastern Europe. These events will continue strengthening knowledge exchange, advancing innovation, and shaping an interconnected global economy built on sustainability, efficiency, and technological competitiveness.
Since its launch in 2021, Investopia has drawn more than 16,000 participants from 71 countries, hosting 18 major global events in leading financial hubs such as New York, Geneva, London, Milan, and Hong Kong. The new CEE–UAE forum marks the latest step in its mission to cement the UAE’s position as a premier global destination for investment.
