Abu Dhabi, Jan 16 (IANS/WAM) Top officials of the US and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have held talks on taking their economic partnership to new heights.

The UAE is interested in boosting cooperation with the US, particularly in trade and investment, said Minister for Foreign Trade Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi during a meeting with Robert Hormats, visiting US under-secretary of state for economic, business, and agricultural affairs.

Lubna stressed the need for sharing expertise to improve the performance and export capacity of small and medium enterprises so as to compete in international markets.

She informed the US official about the UAE’s strengths in the renewable energy sector, which US companies could tap to expand their operations in the country.

Hormats said the UAE would remain an important player in the Middle East. It acts as a leverage for boosting US trade with the region.

The UAE-US non-oil trade grew 22 percent in the first nine months of 2011 to $10.7 billion. Imports by the UAE stood at $9.9 billion while exports were worth $260 million.

Hormats also met Anwar Mohammed Gargash, UAE minister of state for foreign affairs, and discussed a number of topics of mutual concern.

–IANS/WAM
pm/vt