UAE Economy Minister meets two Canadian officials

Ottawa - May 6, 2009 (WAM) - UAE Economy Minister and Chairman of the General Authority for Civil Aviation HE Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, discussed with the Canadian Transport and Infrastructure Minister John Baird, in presence of the UAE Ambassador to Canada Mohammed Abdullah Mohammed Al Ghafali, the bilateral relations and ways to boost them, particularly in the field of aviation.
To keep abreast with growing trade and tourism, the two officials also discussed upgrading of air transport between the UAE and Canada.
The UAE is the biggest market wooing the Canadian exports in the Gulf and North Africa. The Canadian exports last year stood at 1.5 billion Canadian Dollars ($1. 27 billion) up threefold compared to year 2000.
Al Mansouri also met with the Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty. They discussed the bilateral relations between the two countries and ways of bolstering them in all fields.
The UAE Economy minister reiterated in the meeting a need for opening up the Canadian markets for the UAE Companies in all fields, including the civil aviation sector. On his part, Flaherty welcomed Al Mansouri's proposal, stressing that Canada welcomes the UAE investments and expansion of free trade between the two countries