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Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi expressed his enthusiasm for this development in the UAE’s foreign
agenda.

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi stated, "The UAE-Morocco Comprehensive Economic Partnership
Agreement is a valuable addition to our CEPA program. Our two brotherly nations already enjoy
strong bilateral economic relations, and this agreement will enable us to further develop areas of
mutual benefit, particularly in sectors such as tourism, energy, manufacturing and agriculture, and
generate long-term prosperity for both peoples."

Ryad Mezzour highlighted the significance of this agreement by saying, "I signed today with my
brother, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi...a joint declaration announcing the conclusion of negotiations
between our two countries on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement." He added that
this agreement aims to support trade and investment development by opening new opportunities
for joint cooperation in economic and commercial fields.

This agreement follows a declaration signed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI and President His
Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on 4th December 2023 in Abu Dhabi. The
declaration aims to establish an innovative partnership between the two countries.

Morocco's Economic Landscape

Morocco is the sixth-largest economy in Africa with a GDP of US$152.4 billion in 2023. The GDP is
expected to grow by 3.5 percent in 2024. Agriculture remains the largest employer while services
contribute 54 percent to GDP; the industrial sector accounts for 23 percent.
The UAE’s CEPA programme aims to boost non-oil foreign trade to AED4 trillion by expanding
relations with strategically important markets globally. In 2023, UAE’s non-oil trade reached an all-
time high of US$710 billion—a 12.6 percent increase from 2022 and a 34.7 percent rise from 2021.

Morocco joins other African nations like Mauritius, Kenya, and Congo-Brazzaville in concluding
CEPA terms with the UAE.
This new chapter promises enhanced cooperation between the UAE and Morocco across various
sectors.

https://www.onearabia.me/business/uae-morocco-economic-partnership-agreement-finalised-
011-56623.html