Page 584 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - APRIL 2025 (Part 2)

4/7/25, 5:14 PM UAE’s trade deals with Costa Rica and Mauritius take effect | The National
UAE’s trade deals with Costa Rica and

Mauritius take effect

They mark the seventh and eighth of the UAE’s Cepa programme to come into force

Fareed Rahman
April 02, 2025

The UAE’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (Cepas) with Costa Rica and

Mauritius came into effect on Wednesday, further supporting efforts by the Emirates to boost its
global trade and investments.

The new deals mark the seventh and eighth of the UAE’s Cepa programme to come into force,
following the trade deals with India, Israel, Turkey, Indonesia, Cambodia and Georgia, the

Ministry of Economy said on Wednesday.

The implementation of trade agreements with Costa Rica and Mauritius “reflects a significant

step forward in our nation’s foreign trade programme and its aim to establish stronger, more
integrated trading relationships with the most dynamic markets around the world”, said Dr Thani

Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade.

“These Cepas, enhancing connectivity to centres of growth in Central America and Africa, are a

catalyst for deeper economic collaboration, unlocking a range of opportunities for our private
sector and driving forward our shared goals, from enhancing food security to accelerating clean

energy adoption.”

The UAE launched the Cepa programme in 2021 to reduce tariffs and remove trade bottlenecks

through simpler customs procedures and rules. The agreements are also expected to boost
investment in priority areas.

The programme has helped the UAE hit record non-oil trade in 2024 of $817 billion, marking a

14.6 per cent annual increase.

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