Abu Dhabi Economic Department and Bavaria Sign Pact on Future Industries

The declaration was signed by Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, chairman of ADDED, and Florian Herrmann, head of the Bavarian State Chancellery and state minister for federal and European affairs, international affairs and the media. To put it into practice, the two sides will explore setting up a joint economic commission for regular dialogue and coordination. The statement did not name specific projects, investments or companies.

Bavaria, home to large industrial and engineering groups, offers Abu Dhabi a route to German manufacturing and technology know-how as the emirate builds new industrial sectors. Al Zaabi said the partnership would combine Bavaria's industrial expertise, technology and skilled workforce with Abu Dhabi's growing sectors, investment ecosystem and access to international markets. "In an increasingly competitive global economy, the ability to connect talent, technology, and capital will determine where the next generation of industries emerge and grow," he said.

The agreement ties into Abu Dhabi's sector cluster strategy. Between 2023 and 2025 the emirate launched four clusters: Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industries (SAVI); AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance (AGWA); Health, Endurance, Longevity and Medicine (HELM); and FinTech, Insurance, Digital and Alternative Assets (FIDA). The government projects that together they will contribute AED284 billion to GDP, create more than 130,000 jobs and attract more than AED217 billion of investment by 2045.

Trade between the UAE and Germany reached about $15.5 billion in 2025, up 15% from 2024, according to the statement, and German imports from the UAE rose by more than 58%. More than 2,000 German companies operate in the UAE, and the number registered with the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry grew by 10.6% in 2025.