Adam Krzymowski

Department of International Affairs, Zayed University,

United Arab Emirates

Adam.Krzymowski@zu.ac.ae

ORCID 0000-0001-9296-6387

Economic diplomacy in promoting exports. Case study of Central and Eastern Europe and the United Arab Emirates

Abstract. The research subject is economic diplomacy as a tool for promoting export development. It focuses on trade between Central and Eastern European countries and the United Arab Emirates. The study seeks to answer the research question: To what extent does economic diplomacy affect export development? The research employed empirical methods, quantitative research, statistical analysis, comparative analysis, and case studies. Moreover, the Pearson correlation coefficient was applied. An essential element of the study was also the author’s participant observation of numerous processes and phenomena in the area under investigation. The results show that exports from Central and Eastern European countries to the United Arab Emirates are growing in countries that have embassies. However, a detailed analysis indicates that economic diplomacy, supported by the presence of embassies and high-level visits, has had a limited impact on exports. Its influence was most pronounced during the initial stages of bilateral relations between CEE countries and the United Arab Emirates. On the other hand, GDP levels and their dynamics have had a stable impact. Relations between Central and Eastern European countries and the United Arab Emirates are of key importance for trade routes connecting the North and the South.

Received: July, 2025

1st Revision: May, 2026

Accepted: August, 2026

DOI: 10.14254/2071-8330.2026/19-3/1

JEL Classification: F00, F02, F1, F10, F13, F14, F15, F40, F5, F50, F51, P00

Keywords: economic diplomacy, export, Central and Eastern Europe, United Arab Emirates