Page 767 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - OCTOBER 2024

His Excellency also noted the upward trajectory of those numbers, with non-oil trade between the
UAE and the rest of Asia totaling $224 billion in the first half of 2024, an increase of 31 percent in the
last two years.

HE Al Zeyoudi also underscored the strategic importance of the UAE’s Comprehensive Economic
Partnership Agreement (CEPA) programme in boosting trade flows with the region.

Of the 13 CEPAs the UAE has successfully concluded since May 2022, eight are with nations in Asia
or the Asia-Pacific region.

HE Al Zeyoudi stated, “In an increasingly complex global economy, the importance of collaboration
with your closest neighbors will only grow. This is particularly true with Asia, where more than 60
percent of the goods made within the continent stay within the continent. For the UAE’s global
trade strategy, Asia represents secure, reliable supply chains and mature, high-growth markets that
will provide a range of opportunities for our private sector. These include outstanding prospects for
investment as we seek partnerships in manufacturing, agriculture, and energy, and support our
respective economic growth and development objectives. This week’s forum will play an important
role in advancing all of these objectives.”

During the forum, HE Al Zeyoudi held productive bilateral meetings with key officials from several
Asian nations.

These included talks with HE Mrs Arju Rana Deuba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nepal; HE Mr.
Pichai Naripthaphan, Minister of Commerce of Thailand; HE Mr. Ihsaan Afzal Khan, Coordinator of
the Prime Minister of Pakistan; and HE Mr. Zogi Zadeh Zogi Amin, Minister of Economic
Development and Trade of Tajikistan.

Reflecting on the summit’s theme of “Artificial Intelligence and New Business Models, HE Al
Zeyoudi said, “The UAE is committed to harnessing advanced technologies to enhance the
efficiency and accessibility of global supply chains. Through our CEPA programme, we have been
able to champion the potential of digitised trade with Asian nations, and we will continue to work
with our CEPA partners to create the technical and regulatory frameworks to modernise the
exchange of goods and services between us.”

The Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) was established in 2002, It is a pan-Asian forum that fosters
cooperation among Asian countries in various fields, including trade, technology, and sustainable
development.

https://en.aletihad.ae/news/uae/4519585/thani-al-zeyoudi-highlights-role-of-intra-regional-
collabora#:~:text=His%20Excellency%20Dr%20Thani%20bin%20Ahmed%20Al%20Zeyoudi,%20U
AE%20Minister