UAE economy minister meets Macedonian PM

UAE Minister of Economy, Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, has met Macedonian Prime Minister, Nikola Gruevski, during an official visit to the Western Balkans state. Welcoming the UAE delegation led by Al Mansouri, the Macedonian Prime Minister praised the UAE for its wise foreign policies, its interest in opening up to the world as well as in establishing partnerships that reflect close international cooperation and further reinforce its economic, trade and investment relations with the rest of the world. Minister Al Mansouri said the meeting is part of efforts to promote relations between the UAE and Macedonia. The two sides agreed on initiating, at the earliest time possible, negotiations on agreements on double taxation avoidance, the protection and promotion of investments. They also agreed to exchange visits by business delegations to showcase the economic potentials of the two countries. Minister Al Mansouri and the Macedonian Prime Minister discussed the exemption of UAE nationals from entry visa for Macedonia. Al Mansouri emphasised that the exemption will contribute to the furthering of UAE-Macedonian relations and will benefit both countries. Later, in another meeting with the Macedonian Minister of State, Hadi Nezir, Al Mansouri highlighted the UAE's efforts to diversify its economy, and to decrease dependence on oil through the development of non-oil sectors and the optimal investment in SME sectors. He urged Macedonian investors and businessmen to tap the advantages offered by the UAE economy.