Open this photo in gallery: The Dubai skyline in the United Arab Emirates in 2023. National Bank of Canada has opened its first office in the region.Kamran Jebreili/The Associated PressNational Bank of Canada NA-T is expanding into Dubai as Ottawa bids to increase trade between Canadian businesses and the United Arab Emirates. On Wednesday, the Montreal-based bank announced that it has opened its first office in the region, coinciding with an economic mission to the United Arab Emirates led by International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu aimed at building commercial ties with the UAE. “Canadian clients are interested in getting capital, and we noticed that our clients are going there on their own and they are seeking help,” Mr. Fares said in an interview. In November, Montreal’s venture-capital firm Inovia Capital said it is opening a new global office in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 15, 2026 05:21 UTC