14 Nations Launch Future of Investment and Trade Partnership

The United Arab Emirates has emerged as one of the driving forces behind the newly launched Future of Investment and Trade (FIT) Partnership, a landmark international initiative aimed at strengthening open, fair, and sustainable global trade.

Launched this week through a ministerial-level virtual meeting, the FIT Partnership brings together 14 countries, including the UAE, Singapore, New Zealand, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, and Chile. The initiative is designed to provide a collaborative platform for economies to exchange ideas, align policies, and reinforce the rules-based multilateral trading system.

The UAE’s active participation reflects its growing influence in shaping international trade dialogues. According to the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), the UAE was among the key economies that played a decisive role in developing the FIT Partnership framework.

Adding weight to the initiative, the launch was attended by WTO Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, signaling strong alignment with the global trade body. Her presence underscores that while FIT is a plurilateral partnership, it is also meant to complement the WTO’s role in ensuring a fair and transparent global trade environment.

Officials highlighted that the FIT Partnership will focus on:

• Promoting open and inclusive trade policies

• Encouraging sustainable investment practices

• Building resilience in global supply chains

• Strengthening trust and cooperation among economies

With its role in the FIT initiative, the UAE further cements its status as a hub for innovation, trade, and investment in the Middle East, while contributing to shaping the future direction of international economic cooperation.

Source: Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry, SECO Switzerland