UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al-Qasimi discussed today with the visiting Deputy US Treasury Secretary Neal Wolin, means of boosting trade relations. During the meeting, they discussed developments in trade between the two countries and ways of encouraging the private sector in both countries to boost contacts via forums and exhibitions so as to tap investment opportunities in order to stimulate economic growth in the two countries. Al Qassimi stressed the importance of strengthening the current trade partnership between the UAE and USA. She said 'The 'UAE is considered the largest trading partner of USA in the Middle East and occupied the third position amongst the world in terms of non-oil trade in 2008 with the volume standing at $13. 3 billion.'' For his part, the US senior official expressed his country's keenness to forge the trade and economic relations with the UAE. The meeting was attended by senior officials and the US Ambassador to UAE Richard Olson, the UAE news agency "WAM" reported.
