Berlin, Germany — A new era of international tech collaboration may be on the horizon as Gitex, the UAE’s flagship technology exhibition, opened its first-ever European edition in Berlin this week. UAE government officials say the event, which runs for three days at Messe Berlin, could pave the way for the creation of a new economic corridor and a wave of cross-continental investment.
More than 1,400 startups and leading technology firms from around the globe are taking part in Gitex Europe, showcasing innovations in AI, quantum computing, smart cities, and next-generation materials. With national pavilions representing countries including India, Italy, South Korea, the UK, and the UAE, the event signals a push to forge deeper trade and investment ties between Europe and the Middle East.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, UAE Minister of State for Entrepreneurship Alia Al Mazrouei highlighted the strategic importance of expanding Gitex beyond the Gulf.
“Gitex has always been a place where people come together to shape what comes next,” said Al Mazrouei. “But this event is not only about technology – it is about vision, collaboration, and the will to build a smarter, more connected, resilient global future.”
The European debut of Gitex comes amid rising UAE-Germany trade ties. In 2023, non-oil trade between the two nations hit €13.4 billion—a 5% increase from the previous year—making Germany the UAE’s second-largest EU trading partner.
Al Mazrouei emphasized that the UAE, despite its small geographical footprint, is fostering an economy defined by digital fluency, environmental consciousness, and global connectivity.
“We are not just scaling businesses – we are scaling mindsets and nurturing the next generation of innovators,” she said.
One notable example of recent UAE-European collaboration is the newly announced partnership between Abu Dhabi’s MGX and AI powerhouse Nvidia, alongside several French firms, to develop a €1.4 billion AI campus near Paris. The initiative will focus on quantum computing and next-generation tech solutions.
Such developments underscore Gitex Europe’s role as more than a showcase—it’s a platform for action. UAE officials hope the event will catalyze co-investment opportunities, create new business networks, and accelerate the formation of a Europe-Middle East tech corridor grounded in mutual ambition.
As Gitex expands its global footprint, its Berlin edition reflects the UAE’s broader strategy to position itself as a global innovation hub, linking the East and West through technology and entrepreneurship.
