Cyprus expanded its economic, technological and energy engagement with the UAE and the wider Gulf in 2025 through a series of trade, investment and institutional initiatives coordinated by the Cyprus Trade Centre in Dubai, Khaleej Times reported.

Over the year 2025, the centre led and supported initiatives across the UAE and neighbouring Gulf markets, spanning trade, energy, manufacturing, technology, digital assets and innovation.

The activity coincided with closer political ties, culminating in the first official state visit of the UAE to Cyprus in December 2025.

Beyond their diplomatic dimension, the initiatives were designed to deliver concrete outcomes, strengthening bilateral cooperation, supporting the international expansion of Cypriot companies and showcasing Cyprus’ capabilities across strategic growth sectors.

A defining institutional milestone was the establishment of the Cyprus Business Council (CBC) in Dubai. Following months of preparatory work between Cypriot stakeholders and the CTC, the council was formally established on November 26, 2025, under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers.

The creation of the council translated long-standing bilateral relations into an operational, private-sector-driven platform. Its inaugural meeting, held at Dubai Silicon Oasis with the strategic support of the International Free Zone Authority, brought together senior executives from Cyprus and the UAE, giving the initiative both scale and institutional visibility.

Founded by 30 members representing a cross-section of Cypriot and UAE-based businesses, with the Commercial Counsellor of the CTC acting ex officio, the Council was shaped through a structured process of consultations, preparatory meetings and coordination with UAE partner institutions.

The CTC steered the approval of the Articles of Association with Dubai Chambers, ensuring the Council was legally constituted, operationally grounded and positioned from the outset as a credible platform for dialogue, trade facilitation and investment cooperation.

In parallel, Cyprus strengthened its regional presence through coordinated participation in major international exhibitions, in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy.

At Gulfood 2025 in February, Cyprus participated with a national pavilion hosting 25 Cypriot companies, alongside the CTC and the ministry.

The exhibition provided direct access to markets across the Middle East, Asia and Africa, enabling Cypriot enterprises to expand their outward orientation.

During the event, companies held extensive business-to-business meetings, secured commercial contacts and generated leads that opened prospects for future agreements and export growth.

This momentum continued in April at the Mobility Elite Summit in Dubai, where the CTC operated an information stand promoting Cyprus as an investment destination and a gateway to Europe.

A presentation by the Commercial Counsellor outlined cooperation prospects and business opportunities, while Cypriot firms including Eurofast, MASO Strategic and Cyprus Business Group took part. A dedicated publication was also distributed in the local market.

Cyprus marked its first participation at Seamless Middle East in May, with six Cypriot companies active across fintech, regtech automation, compliance, cybersecurity and AI platforms. Alongside them, the CTC maintained an information stand, serving as a point of support and promotion throughout the exhibition.

Energy and utilities featured prominently later in the month, with Cyprus participating for the first time with a national pavilion at the World Utilities Congress in Abu Dhabi.

Participants included the Electricity Authority of Cyprus, the Cyprus Solar Energy Industrial Association and the Water Development Department, alongside the CTC and the ministry.

The presence of senior officials, including the Minister of Agriculture and the Permanent Secretary of MECI, helped generate strong interest in further cooperation with the Gulf in energy and water infrastructure.

Technology remained a central pillar of engagement. For the fourth consecutive year, Cyprus participated with a national pavilion at Gitex Global in October, showcasing 14 Cypriot technology companies.

Their activities spanned mixed-reality software, deep-tech and AI-driven solutions, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, automation, edtech, IT consulting, hosting services and meteorological monitoring.

Networking was treated as a strategic priority. During Gitex, the CTC organised and executed a high-level networking dinner attended by more than 100 participants and senior guests.

Particular emphasis was placed on targeted seating arrangements, designed to maximise meaningful connections based on participants’ professional profiles.

Further engagement followed in November at the Doers Summit, where Cyprus participated with an information stand on the initiative of the CTC, in cooperation with the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve) and the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy.

The event marked the first tangible cooperation between Cyprus and the UAE at business-to-government level, supported by a strong ministerial and institutional presence.

Alongside activity in the UAE, the CTC expanded its engagement across the wider Gulf. In Qatar, officers participated in EU coordination meetings and held discussions with the Qatar Chamber of Commerce, the Qatari Businessmen Association and the Cypriot ambassador, while also registering the CTC on the chamber’s digital platform.

Talks explored the potential creation of a digital B2B marketplace with a regional scope.

In Bahrain, follow-up contacts led to a meeting between Lulu Bahrain and 11 Cypriot companies in July, creating prospects for increased exports not only to Bahrain but also to other Gulf markets where the group operates. Participants assessed the initiative positively, citing substantive discussions and clear commercial potential.

A mission to Saudi Arabia focused on strengthening cooperation in technology, innovation, energy, trade and investment. The contacts highlighted tangible prospects for advancing joint initiatives and deepening bilateral engagement.

The year’s institutional momentum culminated in December during the official state visit of the UAE President to Cyprus. Within this framework, the CTC supported the organisation of meetings and the preparation of a memorandum of understanding establishing the Joint Cyprus–UAE Business and Investment Council between Keve, Invest Cyprus and the federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Signed under the auspices of the ministers responsible for trade and energy in both countries, the agreement institutionalised cooperation between the private sectors, creating a structured platform to promote trade, investment and long-term partnerships across areas including energy, technology, tourism and services.

The Chair of the CBC attended the meeting, with UAE officials explicitly referencing the importance of the Council’s establishment.

At the same time, the CTC participated in bilateral discussions on strategic projects including the Larnaca and Paphos ports, the old Larnaca airport, the expansion of Vasiliko port, the creation of a technology park in Cyprus, AI data centres and submarine fibre-optic cables, supporting both the Minister of Transport and the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy.

It was agreed that the CTC, in cooperation with the embassy, would monitor progress and support implementation.

Trade support remained a core pillar throughout the year. Of all export support requests received by Cyprus Trade Centres worldwide in 2025, 34 per cent were handled by the Dubai-based CTC, reflecting strong interest from Cypriot companies and the UAE’s role as a regional business hub.

All requests were addressed, ranging from partner identification and business meetings to exhibition participation and procedural support, including assistance linked to the establishment of the Cyprus Business Council.

The CTC also played a decisive role in addressing Cyprus’ water scarcity challenge. Following an urgent request from the Cypriot authorities, the centre coordinated contacts across the Gulf, leading to a bilateral agreement under which the UAE provided 14 mobile desalination units with a total capacity of 15,000 cubic metres per day.

The initiative, supported technically and administratively by the CTC, was framed as a strategic demonstration of deepening Cyprus–UAE cooperation, combining humanitarian, technical and geopolitical dimensions.

Energy diplomacy extended further through Cyprus’ active participation in the International Renewable Energy Agency. As a member of the IRENA Council for 2025 and Vice-Chair for the first time, Cyprus took part in discussions on energy security, renewable investment, grid development and institutional matters, with the CTC supporting the Cypriot delegation at Council sessions in Abu Dhabi.

Finally, the Commercial Counsellor of the CTC also assumed a coordinating role in relation to the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), preparing and updating a policy document mapping energy developments, regional priorities and industrial actors, while facilitating information exchange between CTC and embassies in Egypt, India and Israel.