Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Economy, along with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, recently organised an East African Buyers Forum in Abu Dhabi.

The forum convened 36 companies from East Africa and 80 local exporters from Abu Dhabi across different sectors including construction, oil and gas, food, and pharmaceutical industries.

The event aims to increase the UAE’s exports and bilateral trade with African countries. Non-oil trade between the UAE and East Africa was estimated at $6.34 billion (Dh23.28 billion) in 2013, excluding free zone trade that reached $2.98 billion.