Page 264 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - MAY 2025 (Part 1)_Neat

5/30/25, 4:40 PM UAE and EU look to boost $68bn trade relations with CEPA deal - Arabian Business: Latest News on the Middle East, Real Estate, …
investment flows between the EU and UAE.

UAE and EU trade deal

The UAE-EU CEPA is poised to be a significant milestone in strengthening economic ties
and unlocking new avenues for trade and cooperation.

The agreement will pave the way for the removal of trade barriers, enhance market access

for goods and services, and stimulate investment in key sectors.

By consolidating access to the EU market, the second largest economic bloc in the world,
the CEPA will reinforce the UAE’s status as a global trade and logistics hub.

The EU is already one of the UAE’s key trading partners, accounting for 8.3 per cent of

non-oil trade.

In 2024, non-oil trade between the two reached $67.6bn, representing a growth of 3.6 per
cent over 2023.

Al Zeyoudi said: “Our negotiations toward a UAE-EU Comprehensive Economic

Partnership Agreement is of great importance to both the UAE and the EU and represents
an extraordinary opportunity for us both to enhance trade and investment ties that will

foster greater collaboration and create mutual benefits and prosperity.

“By working together, we will strengthen our supply chains, drive innovation, and create
jobs that will benefit our communities and economies for many years to come.”

Maroš Šefčovič said: “Europe continues to be a reliable trading partner, which respects the

deals it makes. And it is natural to seek to grow our relations with long-standing and trusted

partners like the United Arab Emirates.

“A bilateral FTA would unlock tremendous business opportunities for European and Emirati
businesses alike. Our aim is therefore to reach an ambitious deal that is commercially

meaningful on both sides – one that brings tangible, lasting benefits, along with
predictability, so essential to any successful business.

“This would add strength to our regional cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council

countries.”

During the investment roundtable, representatives from the UAE and the European private
sectors, engaged in discussions to identify mutual investment opportunities that can drive

https://www.arabianbusiness.com/politics-economics/uae-and-eu-look-to-boost-68bn-trade-relations-with-cepa-deal 2/3