Non-oil bilateral trade between the UAE and Estonia surged to $176.3 million in 2023, marking a significant 76.2 percent increase from the previous year's $100.1 million, according to a senior official.
"Bilateral trade has been on a steady rise year-on-year, and we aim to sustain this growth. We are optimistic about 2024, hoping that this positive trajectory will persist, bolstered by successful collaboration in key sectors. With ample opportunities for expansion across various fields, the future looks promising," stated Maria Belovas, Estonia's Ambassador to the UAE.
Belovas anticipates the commencement of flights between the UAE and the Baltic states. Earlier, Dubai-based flydubai announced the cancellation of routes to several Baltic countries, including Tallinn in Estonia, due to delays in receiving new aircraft from US manufacturer Boeing.
"We were somewhat surprised as we were anticipating direct flights between Tallinn and Dubai, which were regrettably postponed. However, we remain hopeful that these flights will resume and commence. This would mark the first direct flights with the Gulf region," the ambassador noted.
"The UAE and Estonia share similar objectives and aspirations in areas like digitalization, including smart mobility and enhancing convenience for our citizens. Numerous Estonian companies are collaborating with both public and private entities in the UAE," she added.
Estonia, which established its first embassy in the region in the UAE five years ago, also offers an e-residency program. This initiative allows individuals to obtain a digital identity without being a physical resident of Estonia, enabling them to start businesses, open bank accounts, and form partnerships.
