Markus Söder travels to United Arab Emirates and Qatar

Bavarian Minister President Markus Söder is traveling to Abu Dhabi and Doha from November 1 to November 4, 2026. Accompanied by a delegation including State Chancellery Minister Florian Herrmann, the visit aims to expand economic relations and secure new investments.

Key focus areas for the trip include technology, economy, and defense. In the United Arab Emirates, officials intend to expedite the implementation of a previously pledged investment agreement valued at over 10 billion euros for the Bavarian economy. In Qatar, the primary emphasis is on defense technology.

Söder expressed solidarity with Gulf partners amid regional instability caused by Iranian attacks. The United Arab Emirates serves as Bavaria's most significant trading partner in the Gulf region, with an annual trade volume of approximately 1.65 billion euros, while Qatar is viewed as a strategic partner in energy, investment, and security.