Page 585 - 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

The country, which seeks to increase its foreign trade to Dh4 trillion ($1.1 trillion) by 2031,

currently has 12 further deals signed and awaiting ratification.

Overall, the UAE has concluded 27 deals as part of the Cepa initiative. In 2025 alone, the UAE

signed five new deals with Malaysia, New Zealand, Kenya, Ukraine, and the Central African
Republic.

It is also in the final stages of negotiations with several major economies including Japan, with
talks expected to conclude before the end of 2025, according to a Wam report on Sunday.

Under the Cepa signed with Costa Rica in April last year, 99.8 per cent of UAE exports to the
South American country will benefit from zero or reduced customs duties. Non-oil trade between

the two countries reached more than $82.6 million in 2024, following growth of 27.5 per cent
compared to 2023.

Meanwhile, the UAE-Mauritius Cepa is expected to boost the value of non-oil bilateral trade
from $209.8 million to $500 million within five years, including a four-fold increase in exports

from the Emirates to Mauritius. More than 97 per cent of UAE exports to Mauritius will benefit

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