Chile Strengthens Strategic Partnership with the UAE During High-Level Official Visit
Chile has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding its presence in the Gulf region through a high-level official visit to the United Arab Emirates, underscoring the growing importance of bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the two nations.
Leading the Chilean delegation, Chile’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francisco Pérez Mackenna, held meetings with the UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, to discuss expanding commercial relations and identifying new opportunities for collaboration across strategic sectors.
The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral trade, encouraging investment flows, and reinforcing cooperation in areas including agribusiness, food security, mining, renewable energy, innovation, and logistics. Both sides also highlighted the importance of creating new business opportunities for companies seeking to expand between Latin America and the Gulf region.
The visit comes as economic relations between Chile and the UAE continue to gain momentum following the entry into force of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the first trade agreement signed by Chile with a Middle Eastern nation. The agreement has established a new framework for economic cooperation by reducing trade barriers, facilitating investment, and promoting greater private-sector engagement.
The results have already become evident. Bilateral trade between Chile and the UAE increased by **38 percent** in 2025, reaching **US$320.7 million**, reflecting growing commercial activity and increasing confidence among exporters and investors in both markets.
For Chile, the UAE has become a strategic gateway to the broader Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market, providing access to one of the world’s fastest-growing economic regions. Chilean exporters continue to identify opportunities for premium agricultural products, fresh fruit, seafood, wine, nuts, mining services, and technology solutions, while the UAE offers an ideal platform for regional distribution and investment.
At the same time, the UAE continues to strengthen its economic engagement with Latin America as part of its long-term diversification strategy. Chile’s stable business environment, extensive network of international trade agreements, and internationally competitive export sectors position the country as an attractive destination for Emirati investment across agriculture, infrastructure, renewable energy, mining, and advanced technologies.
Beyond trade, the official visit reaffirmed both governments’ shared commitment to expanding institutional cooperation and facilitating stronger links between their respective business communities. Officials emphasized the importance of increasing commercial missions, participation in international trade exhibitions, and direct engagement between companies to unlock new investment opportunities.
As global trade patterns continue to evolve, both Chile and the UAE are positioning their relationship as a model of interregional cooperation, leveraging their respective strengths to create sustainable economic growth and greater connectivity between Latin America and the Gulf.
The visit further reinforces Chile’s strategy of diversifying its international partnerships while recognizing the UAE’s role as one of the Middle East’s leading commercial, financial, and logistics hubs. With bilateral trade reaching record levels and political dialogue continuing to deepen, both countries appear well positioned to further expand a partnership that continues to deliver tangible economic results for businesses and investors alike.
