Page 272 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - APRIL 2025 (Part 2)

UAE first Arab trade partner of Republic of Congo:

Thani Al Zeyoudi

• Wednesday, April 9, 2025 10:47 AM
• 2 minutes Reading

ABU DHABI, 9th April, 2025 (WAM) -- Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign
Trade, affirmed that the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
between the UAE and the Republic of the Congo will contribute to boosting bilateral trade between
the two countries to exceed US$7.2 billion by 2032.

Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), he said that the UAE is the first Arab trade partner of
the Republic of the Congo, noting that the agreement will support the UAE’s role as a major global
hub for supply chains, further consolidating its position as a trade gateway connecting the Arab
world, Europe, Asia and Africa.

He added that since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the partnership between the UAE
and the Republic of the Congo has grown significantly, with the value of non-oil bilateral trade
reaching $3.1 billion in 2024. This represents a growth rate of 4.2 percent compared to 2023, while
the value of the UAE’s non-oil exports reached $86 million.

Regarding the sectors set to benefit from the CEPA, he said the agreement guarantees more
preferential access for Emirati products to the Congolese market, with 99.5 percent of customs
items subject to tariff exemptions. This will enhance the competitiveness of many UAE industries,

https://www.wam.ae/en/article/15ibwuz-uae-first-arab-trade-partner-republic-congo-thani