Officials from the of Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the Canadian State of Alberta have discussed ways of accelerating economic and investment cooperation, with a special emphasis on the petrochemicals, aviation, agriculture, food, education and industry sectors.

This came at a meeting between Saif Mohammed Al Hajeri, chairman of the Department of Economic Development – Abu Dhabi, and a Canadian delegation led by Deron Bilous, Minister of Economic Development and Trade in Alberta, reported Wam, the Emirates official news agency.

Al Hajeri affirmed the Abu Dhabi government's keenness to develop economic relations with Canada, highlighting the two governments' announcement of opening a UAE consulate in Toronto as a step forward enabling trade relations between the two sisterly nations.

He underlined the developmental projects being executed by the government of Abu Dhabi as part of the Economic Vision 2030 as representing a good opportunity to benefit from the promising investment prospects provided by Canada at the technology and knowledge sectors.

The Canadian minister echoed Al Hajeri's view on his country's readiness to boost joint cooperation and accelerate visits by the two countries' officials over the coming period to explore investment potential.

The trade exchange between Abu Dhabi and Alberta amounted to Dh508.6 million ($139 million)  since January through September 2017, while the total volume of foreign trade between the two sides in 2016 hit more than Dh1 billion.