Lithuania and the UAE strengthen ties through innovation and trade

Ramūnas Davidonis, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to the UAE, reflects on how creativity, knowledge, and economic vision are reshaping Lithuania-UAE relations into a partnership defined by collaboration and confidence in the future.

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Lithuania's innovation ecosystem is young, ambitious, and fast-growing. With more than 1,300 startups and one of the strongest fintech sectors in Europe, our country combines creativity, stability, and access to the EU market.

UAE investors are already showing interest. Our business culture is collaborative and open. Lithuania offers quick access to the EU, a skilled workforce, and an environment where innovation is encouraged. Through our embassy team as well as national agencies like “Innovation Agency” and “Invest Lithuania” we are ready to connect Emirati investors with Lithuanian entrepreneurs who are building the technologies of tomorrow.

Are there initiatives to build academic partnerships or student exchange programmes between universities in Lithuania and the UAE, especially in technology and research-driven disciplines?

Education and research remain promising areas for Lithuania-UAE cooperation. Lithuanian universities such as Vilnius University, Kaunas University of Technology, and VILNIUS TECH have strong expertise in engineering, Al, and cybersecurity. These fields align well with the UAE's academic priorities. While there are no major joint programmes yet, we see clear value in exploring research links, student exchanges, and other partnerships. Academic collaboration offers an excellent platform to strengthen mutual understanding and build lasting connections between our countries.

As Lithuania and the UAE mark new milestones in their relationship, what are your top diplomatic and economic priorities for the coming years?

Our relationship with the UAE is deepening in every direction. We particularly look forward to December 11, when flydubai will launch direct, year-round flights between Vilnius and Dubai.