Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, the Chairman and CEO of DP World, addressed a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday, where he discussed U.S. trade policies under President Donald Trump and India's economic growth. Bin Sulayem praised the U.S. market’s openness but pointed out that President Trump prioritizes "fair trade" over "free trade" to ensure a more balanced global trade system. While mentioning the U.S. trade policies, he noted that Trump is satisfied with India’s progress, emphasizing the positive trade relations between the U.S. and India.
UAE officials also see opportunities for growth in foreign and global trade, with optimism about the trade momentum continuing into 2025. In a separate interview, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Thani Al Zeyoudi, shared his enthusiasm about the growing trade potential under Trump’s business-driven approach.
When discussing India’s trade dynamics, bin Sulayem acknowledged the country's impressive growth but pointed out that many Indian manufacturers and traders focus primarily on serving their large domestic market rather than exporting. However, he noted that DP World is helping bridge the gap, assisting Indian firms in expanding their reach abroad, particularly to Africa and Europe. He also emphasized that India’s trade potential, compared to China, presents a significant growth opportunity, with trade volumes in India set to expand.
Bin Sulayem underscored the role of partnerships like the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has helped triple trade between the two countries, and reaffirmed DP World’s commitment to supporting India's export growth and expanding its connections globally.
