Today's Edition
BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)
With shared history, geography and culture, the UAE and Qatar are bound by longstanding connections that have grown stronger over the years.
As Qatar celebrates its National Day on December 18, the trajectory of its relations with the UAE demonstrates a commitment to cooperation and a stable, prosperous Gulf.
With expanding trade, vibrant business links, collaboration in the energy sector, and strong diplomatic ties, the two nations shape a partnership that benefits both societies and contributes to broader Gulf unity. The strategic alignment between the two countries reflects a shared commitment to regional stability, economic diversification, and mutual growth.
Economic cooperation has become a central pillar of UAE–Qatar relations. According to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two nations maintain robust ties rooted in geographical proximity and shared cultural values, reflected in trade and investment exchanges across key sectors, including finance, business, tourism, oil and energy.
Diversifying their economies and reducing reliance on oil are priorities that the two countries also share. In 2022, non-oil trade between the UAE and Qatar reached Dh31 billion, underscoring the breadth of their cooperation.
This momentum continued in 2023, with non-oil foreign trade rising by nearly 20% to Dh37 billion. Growth remained strong into 2024, with Dh21 billion recorded in the first half of the year alone.
The UAE has emerged as Qatar’s top trading partner in the Gulf and the wider Arab region, and among the top 10 globally. It accounts for more than half of Qatar’s total trade with Gulf countries, according to a report in 2024.
Business and tourism exchanges are also expanding between the two nations. The number of UAE business licences operating in Qatar grew by 11% year on year in 2023, reaching 248 licences.
Further economic dialogue continued into 2025, with a meeting between the two countries’ ministers exploring ways to deepen cooperative ties in priority sectors, including entrepreneurship, manufacturing, technology, renewable energy, aviation, tourism, and the circular economy.
Beyond trade, the UAE and Qatar are enhancing cooperation in energy, industry, finance, education and sports, reflecting a shared vision to advance regional prosperity and long-term development.
Tourism and people-to-people links continue to grow, driven by shared cultural affinities and increasing connectivity. Weekly flights between Doha and major UAE cities exceed 100 services, facilitating frequent travel for business, leisure and family ties.
