Buenos Aires, October 10: Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday has called for signing of agreements with Argentina to avoid double taxation and encourage and protect investments which will help attract investors.
Shaikh Abdullah, who is in Buenos Aires as part of his whirlwind tour of South America, was welcomed by President of Argentina Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner at the Presidential Palace.
De Kirchner and Shaikh Abdullah explored ways of enhancing bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on a host of regional and international issues of mutual concern.
The Argentine president said her country was keen on further developing its bonds with the UAE.
Later during talks between the two sides, Shaikh Abdullah said the UAE has emerged as the promising economic future for investors and businessmen thanks to its tireless efforts to forge trade and economic partnerships and conclude free trade agreements with its strategic partners and economic blocs around the world.
“The UAE enjoys a stable business environment which spurs global business community to pump more funds into the country as one of the world’s most safe haven for investment. The government is now focusing on creativity and innovation-based economic sectors.”
The meeting was attended by UAE’s Minister of State Reem Ibrahim Al Hashimi and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai Ports World.
“The UAE policy is in response to the international trend towards establishing strategic partnerships and trade liberation and opening up of markets,” he added.
Shaikh Abdullah highlighted the importance of Argentina to the UAE as the host of the second UAE embassy in Latin America after Brazil.
Shaikh Abdullah invited his Argentinean counterpart to attend the preparatory meeting of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dhabi next January.
The two sides stressed the need for signing two agreements on avoidance of double taxation and encouragement and protection of investment as key magnets for attracting investors.
De Kirchner lauded the UAE’s efforts to transform its oil-dependent economy to a diversified one that posts rapid growth in all sectors.
She also affirmed her country’s desire to formulate a viable partnership between small and medium-scale enterprises in the two friendly countries.
The two sides stressed the importance of boosting bilateral cooperation in areas of tourism, inter-trade, energy and renewable energy. Air transport is one of the key sectors of interest as Emirates airline will run its maiden flight to the South American country in 2012. Shaikh Abdullah urged the Argentine president to support the DP World’s expansion plan in Argentina and tap its rich experience in management of seaports and terminals.
The two sides concluded a memorandum of understanding on political consultation between ministries of foreign affairs.
–Agencies