Mission Goal and Significance
As part of the EU delegation comprising approximately 30 European clusters and SMEs, the mission's primary goal was to explore business and market entry opportunities in the UAE and facilitate direct contact with potential Emirati partners. Anthony Kez emphasized that the institutional support of the EU was crucial for our cluster. It built trust and credibility, enabling meetings with decision-makers and local companies that would have been almost impossible to reach independently. In his report, he also stressed that the on-site experience confirmed that local partnership is essential for success, as collaboration with an Emirati citizen brings significant advantages (e.g., subsidies, energy, rental, and land purchase benefits).
Focus Areas and Market Insights
The event focused on Clean and Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Water and Waste Management, Green Mobility, Smart Cities and their Infrastructure. Agrifood received special attention.
Key Observations on the UAE Market:
- Ambition and Scale: The Emirati market is characterized by large-scale, ambitious projects and an openness to unique, problem-solving technologies. Solutions must be scalable and proven effective.
- Energy Cost Duality: Although low energy prices reduce the general incentive for energy efficiency measures, the market is open to green and sustainable solutions, especially if they bring prestige or other clear advantages.
- Food Security: The Main Priority: Since the COVID pandemic, interest in food security and agriculture has increased. The UAE imports about $200 million worth of fertilizer annually and is actively seeking innovative methods to increase local crop yield, shelf life, and food production. This offers a promising foundation for the cluster's members involved in agri-innovation, soil technology, and circular economy solutions.
Event Highlights
The two-day program included a high-level seminar, thematic presentations, B2B/C2C/C2B meetings, and site visits.
- Preparations: The mission was preceded by two preparatory webinars, which shed light on the business culture and the optimal use of the B2Match platform.
- Program: On-site activities included a visit to WETEX, an EU-UAE Business Seminar and Matchmaking Day (Oct 2), and site visits organized to innovation hubs and sustainable infrastructure projects (Oct 3), providing practical insights.
- Hospitality: The meetings were characterized by exceptional Emirati hospitality, warmth, respect, and professionalism, which contributed to the dynamic and inspiring atmosphere.
Personal Impressions and Memorable Experiences
"The Emirati hospitality was exceptional. Every meeting was characterized by warmth, respect, and professionalism. The abundance of programs and visits created a very dynamic and inspiring atmosphere, and the cultural experiences were equally enriching — every building, project, and event reflected the UAE's vision for development," recalled Anthony Kez.
Anthony Kez also highlighted a particularly insightful moment: "A particularly memorable moment was the conversation with a representative of a smaller Abu Dhabi construction company, which had just won a $160 million project. When I asked how important sustainability and green solutions were to them, he frankly replied: 'energy is so cheap that it's not really a question [sustainability].' However, in the same conversation, they showed great interest in innovative green technologies. This duality perfectly describes the Emirati market: open to sustainability, but only if it comes with clear, visible benefits or prestige."
Challenges, Recommendations, and Conclusion
A recurring challenge is that many European SMEs are too small for the scale of Emirati projects. For success, solutions must be unique, scalable, and proven effective. Furthermore, building long-term, reliable local partnerships is fundamental to understanding the market's business culture and administrative system.
"Overall, the Dubai mission was successful, providing invaluable insight into how our cluster can position itself internationally," stated Anthony Kez, Vice President for International Affairs of the Archenerg-Metál Cluster.
He further added, "The UAE's strong interest in food security, green innovation, and sustainability offers a promising basis for future cooperation. The key for European SMEs is to offer unique, scalable solutions and build relationships with reliable, long-term local partners to understand the market culture and administrative systems. The EU's role in building trust was crucial, and maintaining this relationship will be vital for the next steps."