At this fifth session of the dialogue, officials discussed ways to facilitate legitimate travel to the United States; strengthen the regulatory enviroment; formalize mechanisms for linking U.S. businesses with UAE training and internship organizations; and explore opportunities for collaboration in key business areas, such as energy and healthcare. Officials also discussed the involvement of the private sector and reduction of non-tariff barriers to trade, as well as continued the dialogue on commercial issues of mutual importance for both countries.
The United States and the UAE have a strong existing economic and commercial partnership. Bilateral trade between our countries reached $26.9 billion in 2013, and the UAE continues to retain its lead among MENA-region countries as the largest market for U.S. exports of goods and services. The EPD leverages these successes to build stronger commercial linkages to meet the potential of the future.