Carney likely to sign UAE investment pact, launch trade talks during Abu Dhabi visit

By Canadian Press on November 20, 2025.

ABU DHABI — Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Abu Dhabi, where he is expected to advance trade and investment ties with the United Arab Emirates.

Senior officials, who briefed reporters travelling to cover the prime minister’s trip, say Carney plans to finalize by Friday a foreign investment protection agreement with the UAE.

Such an agreement would set out rules on private sector deals to encourage larger investments.

The officials also say both countries are planning to formally launch negotiations on a free trade deal which would cover most sectors of their economies.

Carney’s visit comes just one month after the two countries signed an agreement to boost collaboration on artificial intelligence and data centres.

Janice Stein, founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto, says the UAE is becoming a leader in AI and can help Canada through both investment and innovation.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 20, 2025.

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press

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