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2/26/25, 4:15 PM UAE-Ukraine's CEPA will enter into force this year | Emirates News Agency

UAE-Ukraine's CEPA will enter into force this year

Monday, February 17, 2025 8:01 PM2 minutes Reading

Summary A+

ABU DHABI,17th February, 2025 (WAM) -- Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign

Trade, stated that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Ukraine underscores
the UAE’s steadfast approach to building developmental partnerships worldwide.

In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi emphasised that this significant

agreement aligns with the forward-looking vision of the UAE’s leadership, which underscores the importance
of enhancing international cooperation in trade and investment as the best guarantee for establishing peace,

stimulating growth, and promoting global prosperity.

He pointed out that upon its expected implementation in 2025, the agreement will eliminate customs duties on
99% of Ukrainian imports of Emirati goods and 97% of Ukraine’s exports to the UAE.

He added that the agreement aims to double the trade volume between the two countries. Despite the

ongoing war, non-oil bilateral trade reached $372.4 million in 2024, whereas in 2021, trade stood at $904.4
million, reflecting a 28.4% growth compared to 2020.

He explained that the agreement benefits both countries by expanding the UAE’s trade partnerships, marking
it as the third trade agreement signed by the UAE with a European nation. At the same time, Ukraine is one of

the world’s leading producers and exporters of grains such as wheat and barley, two critical commodities for

achieving the UAE’s national food security objectives.
He stressed that securing the flow of food supplies is a key pillar of the UAE’s Comprehensive Economic

Partnership Agreements. He highlighted that the agreement aims to support Ukraine’s economic recovery
efforts once peace is restored in the region and to open new markets for Ukrainian products.

Furthermore, he noted that the agreement will create a new platform for investment partnerships between

business communities in both countries, focusing on promising sectors such as infrastructure, heavy
industries, aviation, space sciences, and information technology.

He explained that the UAE’s partnership with Ukraine aims to strengthen bilateral trade by reducing or

eliminating customs duties, removing unnecessary barriers to free trade, expanding service exports to diverse
markets, establishing a clear mechanism for resolving trade disputes, facilitating digital trade, creating a

dedicated platform for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to collaborate and grow globally, and

exploring opportunities for suppliers to participate in government tenders in both countries.

TF / MA

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