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Canada and the United Arab Emirates signed a handful of trade and infrastructure agreements during the crown prince of Abu Dhabi’s visit to Ottawa.
Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Parliament Hill on Tuesday. The crown prince’s motorcade included four RCMP horses.
Ministers from both countries signed agreements pledging to advance free trade, invest in clean power and energy infrastructure and collaborate on diplomatic training.
During a meeting with the crown prince, Carney said the visit would reinforce the countries’ partnership, which has grown substantially over the past year.
Canada and the U.A.E. concluded negotiations on a free trade agreement earlier this year in what both countries called a “record” time of 47 days.
WATCH | Canada, U.A.E. to expand trade and investment ties:
Canada, U.A.E. to expand trade and investment ties in new deal
Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi are signing an extensive trade agreement to expand economic investment between the two countries. University of Ottawa professor Costanza Musu says the move shows Carney’s push to diversify investment and trade amid the ongoing trade war with the United States.
During a state dinner for the crown prince hosted by Carney in downtown Ottawa on Monday, the prime minister said said the two countries are united in their determination to “build for the future.”
Carney visited the United Arab Emirates last year. At the conclusion of his visit in November, Carney said Ottawa was working on a $1-billion project to expand critical minerals processing capacity in Canada.
At the same time, the U.A.E. pledged to invest around $70 billion in Canada.
Carney watches as an RCMP equestrian unit accompanies the U.A.E. crown prince’s motorcade. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)
International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu said on Tuesday that sum could include new investments in mining, logistics, energy and digital technology.
“They are actively looking at deploying that as soon as possible,” he said. “They’ll have more to say publicly soon.”
Asked about human rights concerns linked to the U.A.E., Sidhu said “human rights never takes a back seat with Canada.”
“It’s important that we continue to engage, being at those tables to make sure that we raise whatever we need to raise in terms of human rights,” he said.