Page 635 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - APRIL 2025 (Part 2)

4/7/25, 5:18 PM UAE’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements With Costa Rica, Mauritius Come Into Force - UrduPoint
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, said, “The

implementation of our Comprehensive Economic Partnership 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.

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.”

Al Zeyoudi highlighted the programme’s contribution to record non-oil trade in

2024, which reached an all-time high of US$817 billion, marking a 14.6% increase
over 2023. The CEPA programme currently has 27 concluded deals, expanding

access for UAE businesses to over a quarter of the world’s population.

The UAE-Costa Rica CEPA, which was signed April 2024, builds on non-oil trade

of more than US$82.6 million in 2024, following substantial growth of 27.5%

compared 2023.

Under the CEPA, 99.8% of UAE exports to Costa Rica will benefit from zero or

reduced customs duties. The partnership will also help to facilitate strategic

capital exchange, adding to the UAE’s approximate US$673 million already

invested in Central America.

Opening access to one of Africa’s most promising economies, the UAE-Mauritius

CEPA is projected to boost the value of non-oil bilateral trade from its current

US$209.8 million to US$500 million within five years, including a fourfold increase

in UAE exports to Mauritius.

Over 97% of UAE exports to Mauritius will benefit from immediate tariff

elimination or gradual tariff reduction over a maximum of 5 years under the CEPA.

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