A few days ago, the 2022 China International Fair for Trade in Services (hereinafter referred to as the "Services Fair") was held in Beijing, and the UAE, as the guest of honor in 2022, attracted much attention. What "surprises" has the UAE brought to this CIFTIS? What is the future cooperation space between China and Afghanistan in the field of service trade? Ali al-Zahiri, UAE Ambassador to China, accepted an exclusive interview on related issues during the CIFTIS.

As the guest country of honor at the 2022 CIFTIS, what advantages does the UAE have in the field of service trade?

Ali Zahiri: The China Service Trade Fair in 2022 has special significance for the UAE, because the UAE is the first time to participate in the Service Trade Fair as the guest of honor, and it is also the first in the Middle East and North Africa to be invited to serve as the host of the Service Trade Fair. the country of the country.

The UAE has long been considered an economy driven primarily by the oil industry. But in recent decades, we have been transforming into an economic entity based on knowledge innovation. The UAE has gradually developed into an innovative, open and vibrant society. As a relatively stable political and economic country, the UAE has excellent performance in finance and taxation, high technology and energy. The stable economic characteristics of the UAE also make it one of the best investment destinations in the world, and it also makes the UAE a global trade meeting point with multi-faceted service support.

What are the highlights of the UAE booth in 2022? What to expect?

Ali Zahiri: The establishment of the UAE's guest of honor exhibition area will help further promote the exchanges between the two countries in the field of service trade. The United Arab Emirates has a charming traditional culture and a highly modern service industry. The UAE Service Trade Fair will organize 10 companies and institutions including Emirates Airlines and Etihad Airways to participate in the exhibition in the fields of aviation services, financial services, advanced manufacturing, and cultural services. , to comprehensively display the latest development of service trade in the UAE. We hope to show the unique charm of the UAE to the audience of the CIFTIS through the major exhibition platform of the CIFTIS, and continue to deepen the UAE-China economic and trade cooperation.

What is your impression of the China Service Trade Fair?

Ali Zahiri: China's Service Trade Fair has become the largest comprehensive exhibition in the field of global service trade, and thus has become the main platform for accelerating China's opening to the outside world. More importantly, in the field of international service trade, it has played an active role in spreading new thinking, connecting supply and demand, sharing more trade opportunities, and promoting common development. The theme of the 2022 CIFTIS is "Service Cooperation Promotes Development, Green Innovation and Embracing the Future", and it will surely become a broad, sustainable and diversified platform to promote the globalization of the economy.

As one of the earliest countries to join the Belt and Road Initiative, what achievements has the UAE achieved in participating in the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative in the past two years? How to further strengthen cooperation in the future?

Ali Zahiri: The UAE has always been an advocate and supporter of the Belt and Road Initiative, and has long been committed to actively participating in various international activities under the Belt and Road Initiative. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, we will help drive global trade growth by strengthening infrastructure in transport and logistics.

Up to now, the UAE has 16 modern airports located in the central area of the Belt and Road. The UAE is committed to developing itself into a global financial and investment center, providing services and cooperating with countries and regions related to the Belt and Road Initiative, and providing strong support for local large-scale corporate institutions and projects. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, the UAE has also become an indispensable investor in China. Currently, there are more than 650 projects in China that the UAE has invested in, most of which are concentrated in the energy, banking and maritime industries. It is hoped that in the future, UAE and China will continue to explore and strengthen economic and trade cooperation, including energy, infrastructure, logistics, technology projects, e-commerce and digitalization, etc. Chinese investors and corporate institutions are welcome to enter the UAE market.

How do you see the prospect of China-Arab strengthening economic and trade cooperation in the future? What are your personal expectations?

Ali Zahiri: At present, the UAE has made certain plans in the field of trade cooperation, especially service trade cooperation. We hope that in the next 10 years, trade exchanges with China, especially service trade, can be raised to a higher level. In addition, in terms of digital innovation, I am very much looking forward to the cooperation between the two countries. For the UAE and China, our close friendship is based on shared values, and we look forward to more cooperation in the ever-evolving and globalized financial and service industries, thereby consolidating and To advance the economic development of our two countries. Editor / Xu Shengpeng