More than 400 government and business leaders from the UAE and Caribbean region gathered in Dubai ahead of the First UAE-Caribbean Cooperation Forum (UAECCF), which aims to enhance cooperation between the UAE and Caribbean countries.

The UAE-Caribbean Forum kicked off on November 24 with a cultural evening held at Etihad Museum and hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, gathering over 100 government officials, business leaders, reported Emirates news agency Wam.

On the second day of the forum, more than 400 government and business leaders, key decision makers and investors from the UAE and Caribbean region explored means to increase economic cooperation between the two sides through a series of high-level discussions, detailed presentations, seminars, business meetings and cultural exchanges.

On the first day of the UAECCF, Reem bin Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, said: "Today marks the kickoff of the first UAE Caribbean Cooperation Forum, which will mark a key step in our bilateral relations with the countries of Caribbean. It aims to nurture cooperation and bolster ties between our countries, building on existing partnerships such as the UAE-Caribbean Renewable Energy Fund, and paving the way to new partnerships."

Majid Saif Al Ghurair, chairman of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry said: "This Forum is an ideal platform for constructive dialogue about how the UAE and Caribbean countries can work towards strategic partnerships and expand their cooperation in new sectors and areas. By bringing together government and business leaders from both regions, we can build bridges between our business communities and take UAE-Caribbean relations to the next level."

Noura Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development and Olivia Grange MP, Minister of Culture, Entertainment, Gender and Sport for Jamaica, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cultural cooperation between the governments of both countries.

Al Kaabi said: "The Memorandum of Understanding with the Republic of Jamaica contributes to the development of bilateral cooperation in the cultural and creative domains. It allows both countries to benefit from each other’s cultural heritage and use our full potential to strengthen our relations."

Al Kaabi stressed that the memorandum is a first step towards more openness to the cultures of the Caribbean Basin countries. It will establish bilateral cultural cooperation in fields related to heritage, cultural and creative industries, and will support talented people through strategic collaboration to exchange information and expertise.

The MoU sets out the venues of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of cultural and creative industries development, especially in publishing, translation, digital content, informatics and arts sectors.

Both parties agreed to collaborate in inviting experts and researchers in cultural fields to exchange experiences through their respective national institutions, as per the procedures set out in international conventions.

They will further promote cooperation through cultural events and the exchange of visits between cultural officials, as well as writers and intellectuals from both countries; the translation and exchange of cultural books and publications, especially digital books; and exchange technical cooperation between the two countries in various fields including movies, animation, new digital technologies related to the cultural sector; and the exchange of bibliographic information and audio and video recordings related to heritage, music and the arts in both countries.