Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday the federal government is also working to secure an agreement worth over $1 billion to expand Canada’s critical minerals processing capacity after signing a bilateral investment pact during his visit to the United Arab Emirates. (The Logic)

Talking point: In a speech in Abu Dhabi, Carney said the deal in the works would create jobs and boost the “long-term supply of minerals essential to energy technologies and advanced manufacturing.” He also offered to “personally host” any Emirati investors interested in Canada’s major projects. The UAE announced a plan to invest in “priority national and strategic industries” in Canada, including energy, artificial intelligence, logistics and mining. Canada and the UAE also launched negotiations for a free trade agreement. Carney said he hopes to reach that deal, which will include digital trade, within the “next year or so.”