A high-powered UAE delegation lands in Israel to strengthen cross-border business and innovation, signaling deepening ties beyond diplomacy.
Two years after normalizing relations, the UAE and Israel are proving that economic cooperation isn’t just about shaking hands—it’s about signing deals, sharing tech, and building real business bridges. This week, Abu Dhabi sent a heavyweight delegation to Tel Aviv, where business leaders and institutions traded more than pleasantries. They exchanged plans, promises, and potential.
From fintech to data privacy and cyber innovation, the two sides are rolling up their sleeves and getting to work.
CEPA in Action: A Trade Pact That’s Already Paying Off
The May signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) wasn’t a ceremonial gesture—it was a roadmap. Now, just months later, Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and Israeli institutions are taking concrete steps to follow it.
During the two-day trip, Abu Dhabi’s delegation, flanked by organizations like Mubadala, ADNOC, and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, participated in a joint forum with the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. They didn’t just talk—they acted.
Three preliminary agreements were inked on the sidelines of the event, each targeting a different but complementary slice of economic collaboration. The ambition was clear: move fast, move smart.
“We’re not just building a trade pipeline,” said Mohamed Al Khaja, the UAE ambassador to Israel. “We’re planting seeds that will grow into new jobs, new markets, and new ventures.”
Innovation Meets Execution: Three Deals, Three Industries
Each agreement came with its own flavor and focus. The first? Innovation.
ADGM signed with Israel’s Start-Up Nation Central—a group that lives up to its name. This deal focuses on pushing innovation ecosystems in both countries through co-development, commercial presence, and even shared policy work.
A second agreement with the Avnon Group Middle East, facilitated by ADGM Academy, aims to establish an ADGM Digital Asset Knowledge Hub. It’s not just buzzwords—they’re looking at blockchain, AI, and cybersecurity with the goal of building regional expertise from the ground up.
A third pact was signed between ADGM’s Office of Data Protection and Israel’s Privacy Protection Authority. This one leans technical, focusing on mutual understanding of laws, frameworks, and tech tools used in data privacy enforcement.
Short and sweet? These aren’t symbolic MoUs. These are tools for building real economic infrastructure.
Who Was in the Room? A Look at the Power Players
The delegation wasn’t just a handful of business reps—it was a who’s who of Abu Dhabi’s financial and development muscle. Here’s a quick breakdown of who showed up:
-
Mubadala & Mubadala Petroleum: Driving energy and investment strategy
-
ADNOC: Oil giant exploring wider global plays
-
Abu Dhabi Investment Office & ADX: Connecting capital to opportunity
-
AIQ: Pushing AI and cloud solutions with real teeth
-
Hub71 & ADGM Academy: Cultivating talent and tech
Throw in the Department of Culture and Tourism and the Health Authority—Abu Dhabi, and it’s clear this wasn’t just about money. It was about people, policy, and potential.
Trade Ambitions Backed by Hard Numbers
According to UAE-Israel Business Council estimates, the economic corridor between the two has already topped $1 billion in value. That’s a lot, but it’s just the beginning.
Here’s what’s on the horizon:
| Projection | Value |
|---|---|
| Bilateral Trade by 2027 | $10 Billion |
| GDP Boost to UAE by 2030 | $1.9 Billion |
| 2022 Target | $2 Billion |
That trade isn’t limited to tech. The CEPA covers sectors like energy, e-commerce, financial services, and even construction and hospitality. SMEs in both nations are expected to benefit, with smoother routes to expand abroad.
A Different Kind of Normal: Building Trust Through Business
When Israel and the UAE normalized relations in 2020, headlines ran wild. Peace agreements in the Middle East tend to be treated like historical anomalies.
Ahmed Al Zaabi, chairman of ADGM, emphasized that the visit wasn’t a one-off. “This is long-term,” he said. “It’s about building bridges that last—and those are built on consistent action, not just intentions.”
That’s echoed by Tel Aviv Stock Exchange CEO Ittai Ben Zeev. He sees foreign partnerships, especially from the East, as key to stabilizing Israel’s cost of living and broadening investor diversity.
For Israel, that means opportunity. For the UAE, it’s strategic. And for both, it’s real.
The Bigger Picture: From Shared Ventures to Shared Vision
Zoom out a bit and the pattern becomes clearer. What’s forming here isn’t just a few business liaisons—it’s a framework.
With shared platforms in data protection, cyber-tech, and venture scaling, both nations are shaping a regional innovation corridor. It’s a play that blends stability with ambition.
Yes, there’s money on the table. But there’s also knowledge exchange. Talent mobility. Policy shaping.
It’s less about splashy headlines now, and more about sustained cooperation. It’s about figuring out how two small but mighty economies can learn from one another and scale globally.
