UAE, Argentina explore new investment opportunities

The Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Gerardo Werthein, met with Emirati officials from the Ministry of Economy to increase bilateral trade.

Argentina recently launched the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIG), a new initiative designed to attract investment in steel, infrastructure, energy, and technology.

Hoping to build on non-oil trade that reached $537.1 million in 2024 that mainly consisted of industrial products and manufacturing products, UAE Minister of State for Trade Affairs Dr. Al Zeyoudi stressed the country’s commitment to unlocking new opportunities for investment.

"Argentina is an important economic partner for the UAE, and we see significant opportunities to enhance trade and investment flows in sectors that will shape the future of both our nations. The introduction of RIGI reflects Argentina’s ambition to create a world-class investment environment, and we believe UAE businesses are well positioned to benefit from this new framework,” Al Zeyoudi said. 

The official also highlighted the UAE’s expanding global trade relations via its Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which make it an attractive gateway for South American companies seeking access to high-growth markets in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

The event was held on the sidelines of an official visit by Argentina’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and focused on Argentina’s newly launched investment framework, the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI), and its benefits to international investors.

The RIGI programme, which offers the global investment community access to projects in key sectors of the Argentinian economy, is designed to attract large-scale international investments by offering significant incentives across key sectors, including mining and energy, infrastructure and tourism, technology and advanced industries and manufacturing. It provides regulatory stability, tax incentives, and long-term predictability for foreign investors, ensuring that businesses operating in Argentina can expand with confidence and access high-growth opportunities.

It builds on growing non-oil trade that reached $537.1 million in 2024, a 68% increase from 2019. Major Argentinian exports to the UAE include corn, iron pipes, and soybean products, reflecting Argentina’s strength in agricultural and industrial goods.

UAE exports consisted of high-value machinery and tools, supporting Argentina’s growing manufacturing and technology sectors.

In 2018, the two nations took a significant step towards deepening investment ties by signing a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), reinforcing a shared commitment to fostering a transparent and secure investment environment for businesses in both countries.

The UAE also continues to explore closer engagement with South American countries, including Argentina, through direct discussions with Mercosur, the South American trade bloc, to enhance market access and trade flows across the region.