By: Economy Middle East

Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI), the federal export credit company of the UAE, and Export Finance Australia (EFA), the export credit agency of Australia, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation in advancing trade and investment between the two nations across key economic sectors. The signing ceremony took place during TXF Global in Prague, a leading international conference for export finance, with the agreement formalized by Raja Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer of ECI, and John Hopkins, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of EFA.

Three pillars of strategic collaboration

This partnership is designed to deepen bilateral economic ties and create new opportunities for cooperation in alignment with the objectives of the UAE-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which entered into force on October 1, 2025. By fostering a framework for long-term strategic cooperation, both export credit agencies aim to unlock financing for sustainable and innovation-driven projects, specifically in priority areas such as renewable energy, infrastructure, transportation, digital infrastructure, and critical supply chains.

The collaboration focuses on three primary pillars: promoting joint initiatives that enhance trade and investment flows, enabling the co-financing of eligible projects both within their respective markets and in third regions such as Southeast Asia, and facilitating knowledge exchange to share expertise and best practices.

Enhancing economic resilience, global trade

Raja Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer of ECI, emphasized that Australia is a valuable partner with whom the UAE shares a long-standing relationship built on mutual trust and a commitment to sustainable growth. She noted that this strategic alliance reinforces the role of ECI in driving the economic diversification agenda of the UAE, enhancing trade resilience, and elevating the nation’s global standing in export and investment.

John Hopkins, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of EFA, added that the MoU builds upon the strong foundation of the Australia-UAE partnership, providing a practical platform for shared ambition. He stated that the agreement will enhance engagement in one of the most important strategic markets for both nations, advancing prosperity, security, and opportunity.