The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is taking a significant step forward in its trade strategy by partnering with the Abu Dhabi-based AI firm Presight. The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Trade signed an agreement with Presight, a subsidiary of G42, to develop a nationwide AI platform designed to enhance foreign trade and bolster the country’s position as a global trade hub. This agreement was formalized during a signing ceremony attended by Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, on Monday.
The new initiative, dubbed the Ministry of Foreign Trade AI Platform, will introduce a suite of AI-powered tools integrated into the ministry’s core operations. Once operational, the platform aims to fulfill the ministry’s vision of becoming the world’s first fully AI-driven trade ministry. It will analyze millions of data points in real-time, utilizing information from diverse sources such as ports, shipping routes, customs records, and international trade laws.
Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, emphasized that the platform is anticipated to enable the UAE to exceed its foreign trade goals. He stated, “Trade is one sector where AI can have the most immediate impact, replacing cumbersome, human-centered processes with real-time data analysis and forecasting to accelerate merchandise movements, reduce disruptions and identify high-potential opportunities.”
The AI platform is set to empower both public and private sector stakeholders with advanced intelligence, enabling them to foresee potential disruptions in global supply chains and uncover trade and investment opportunities. Businesses will benefit from improved clarity regarding regulatory requirements and market access rules across various jurisdictions, while also accessing AI-enabled services like smart certificates of origin.
For policymakers, the platform will significantly augment data analysis capabilities, promoting evidence-based decision-making and reinforcing the UAE’s negotiating power in trade agreements. Recent data has shown that while processes in the UAE have become faster and more efficient, challenges persist that the AI initiative aims to resolve.
For instance, the trading platform Dubai Trade currently processes nearly 90,000 transactions daily, reflecting the extensive digital processing already in use. However, many procedures continue to rely on multi-stage compliance and manual decision points. Over the past two decades, Dubai’s digital trade ecosystem has succeeded in reducing reliance on paper and physical visits, thereby streamlining trade flows.
This AI initiative is part of the UAE’s broader strategy to enhance its role as a global gateway for goods and services through the UAE Global Centre of Trade programme, which was launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, in November of last year. The programme aims to foster foreign trade growth and expand market opportunities for Emirati exports.
Mansoor Al Mansoori, Vice Chairman of Presight, remarked that the platform would solidify the UAE’s leadership in international trade. He stated, “The future of trade belongs to economies that can see early and move fast. By putting real-time insight into the hands of decision-makers, we reduce friction, compress timelines, and help governments and businesses operate with confidence.”
Thomas Pramotedham, Chief Executive of Presight, also underscored the importance of this agreement, describing it as a pivotal moment for both the UAE and the global trading system. He stated, “Our solutions will unlock a new era of seamless global trade by reducing costly disruptions and instantly matching demand with supply. The Ministry of Foreign Trade AI Platform will become a gold standard for the sector.”
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