OTTAWA, Canada / AsiaWire.IO / – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney hosted an official dinner banquet in honour of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and his delegation in Ottawa. The banquet took place during Sheikh Khaled’s official visit to Canada. Both sides reviewed UAE-Canada relations and ways to elevate them to new levels of cooperation and strategic partnership. The talks covered various sectors and several issues of mutual interest.
Carney welcomed Sheikh Khaled and the accompanying delegation, expressing hope that the visit would further enhance friendship and cooperation between the two countries. The Crown Prince thanked the Prime Minister for his warm welcome and generous hospitality. He said he looked forward to strengthening the strategic partnership between the UAE and Canada. Members of the UAE delegation joined several Canadian ministers and senior officials at the dinner.
Sheikh Khaled began the official visit on October 26, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said. The trip was planned to advance the strategic partnership and expand cooperation in priority sectors, including a meeting with Carney on ways to strengthen bilateral relations. The office noted that relations between the two countries span more than five decades. During the visit, the Crown Prince also met Emirati students in Canada.
CEPA set to cut tariffs
The UAE and Canada concluded negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in July 2026. Talks began in June, and the deal was completed faster than any previous negotiation in the UAE’s CEPA programme. UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi and Canadian Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu announced the outcome. It was also the fastest trade negotiation Canada has completed. Upon ratification, the agreement will cut tariffs, reduce bureaucratic hurdles and expand market access.
Two-way trade between the countries reached about $4.2 billion in 2025, a rise of 21% on the previous year. In 2024, trade was worth $3.4 billion, including $2.6 billion in Canadian exports to the UAE. Aerospace, agri-food and seafood are among the sectors expected to gain from the CEPA. More than 150 Canadian companies operate in the UAE.
Investment ties build on 2025 agreement
In November 2025, Carney made an official visit to the UAE and held talks with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi. During that visit, the two sides signed an agreement on investment promotion and protection. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, signed for the UAE. The CEPA is designed to complement that agreement.
Sheikh Khaled’s trip to Canada came days after his official visit to Greece. In September, the Crown Prince also held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Abu Dhabi Media Office later reported that he had concluded his official visit to Canada. The visit marked another step in the UAE’s efforts to expand its strategic partnerships abroad.