Shared interests

Aspirations of a peaceful and prosperous future have shaped the relationship between Canada and the UAE over the years. Canadian expertise and know-how have been part of the UAE's development since the formation of the federation four decades back and the UAE remains a priority market for Canadian exports as well as a major source of foreign direct investment in Canada.

Trade and investment activities have been paramount in Canada's relations with the Emirates. Over the past five years, the UAE has made substantial investments in Canadian natural gas and petrochemical industries, amounting to billions of dollars. Canada's stable and transparent business environment, huge natural resource base and access to the vast North American market through the North American Free Trade Agreement make it a lucrative investment destination for UAE investors. Apart from commercial ties, Canada and the UAE also share interests in international peace, energy security, and humanitarian affairs.

Attracting foreign investment

"Canada offers one of the world's most welcoming environments for foreign investment," says Kenneth Lewis, the Canadian Ambassador to the UAE . "According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, Canada has been rated the best place in G7 to do business for the next five years (2011-15)," he adds.

"Canada's enduring financial strength and stability make it the best place to live, invest and do business. We want investors from around the world to look here for exciting new business opportunities and also to know that Canada is a modern and innovative business destination. It has world-class research institutions, sophisticated science and technology facilities, and millions of highly educated workers," the ambassador says.

Commerce between the countries is scaling new heights. More than 40 per cent of goods exported to the UAE from Canada are re-exported from here as it is a major distribution hub in the Middle East. It is Canada's most important export market in the region and the exports have almost tripled since 2004. In 2010, Canadian exports to the UAE stood at $1.1 billion (Dh4.04 billion) while its imports surpassed $150 million.

Canada's merchandise exports to the UAE represent the diversity of its economy, ranging from sophisticated and specialised machinery and equipment such as aircraft and aircraft simulators, telecommunications equipment and medical instruments, through a variety of agri-food products, to precious stones, metals and minerals. A highlight in the aerospace sector is the successful joint venture between Emirates Airline and CAE, the Montreal-based world leader in commercial aircraft simulators.

When it comes to UAE's exports to Canada, oil accounts for a major share, followed by chemicals, iron and steel products, and minerals and precious stones.

Common traits

Currently 27,000 Canadian expatriates live in the UAE. "Canadians move to the UAE because of similarities in many domains: both countries are federations, both have vibrant cultures with significant portions of their populations originating from elsewhere in the world, both enjoy the benefits of a cosmopolitan, open and multicultural society and both have climates notable for extreme weather. Canadians come here for economic opportunities and remain for the quality of life and for finding a place that can ‘feel' like Canada," Lewis says.

More than 115 Canadian companies are operating in the UAE. They are engaged in major infrastructure projects in consulting and professional services, including transportation, aluminium, commercial and residential property development, and health and educational facilities development and management.

The agri-food industry plays a big role in the burgeoning trade relationship between the countries. From canola oil and pulses to fresh lobsters, Canada's presence in UAE homes is undeniable. Baskin-Robbins ice cream, McCain and Cavendish Farms' crispy French fries are from Atlantic Canada whereas much of the peas, beans and lentils that one finds on UAE's supermarket shelves are from western Canada. Franchise cafés such as Second Cup, Café Suprême, Café Céramique, Java U, Blenz, and the soon-to-be-launched Tim Hortons are all Canadian.

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Life in the UAE

Kenneth Lewis, a native of Cambridge (near Waterloo), Ontario, was named ambassador to the UAE in November 2009. He lives in Abu Dhabi with his wife, while his children live in Jakarta and San Francisco. "I am proud to represent such a dynamic country as Canada in the UAE," says Lewis.

In his spare time, the ambassador enjoys walking by the sea and playing golf. He also loves to explore the diversity of restaurants in the UAE. Though Lewis comes from a country with magnificent landscapes, he has been smitten by the alluring deserts of the UAE. His visits to Fujairah and Liwa are etched in his memory, he says.

When not busy with his diplomatic duties, he loves to hop on a flight to a short-haul destination. "There's so much to see within a three-hour flight from the UAE. I have already been to Oman, Tanzania, India and Sri Lanka from the UAE."