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UAE to expand CEPAs in 2025, says Thani Al Zeyoudi

Sharjah 24 – WAM: Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, has a irmed
that the UAE will continue to increase its Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs)
in 2025, targeting additional countries to maximise benefits for the UAE and its global trade partners.

To strengthen rules-based international trade

Minister Al Zeyoudi said that these agreements will strengthen rules-based international trade, drive
sustainable development, increase investments, and enhance opportunities for trade in goods,
services, and re-exporting.

Dr. Al Zeyoudi explained that the UAE's CEPAs programme is designed to expand the country's
commercial and investment partnerships worldwide, positioning the UAE as a key gateway for non-
oil goods and services and a global hub for business and investment.

He emphasised that these agreements reflect the UAE's vision, which recognises the vital role of free
trade based on clear rules in driving sustainable economic growth and inclusive development. The
agreements' diversity and the UAE's ability to form valuable partnerships across five continents
significantly increase opportunities for various sectors and open new markets.

CEPAs have already had a positive e ect

Dr. Al Zeyoudi pointed out that the CEPAs have already had a positive e ect on various areas of the
UAE's foreign trade, particularly non-oil trade, re-export services, logistics, clean and renewable
energy, technology, financial services, green industries, advanced materials, agriculture, and
sustainable food systems.

He explained that CEPAs continue to have a tangible and direct impact on the country's foreign trade
data, positively a ecting various vital sectors, including the advanced technology sector.

24 CEPAs

Since the programme's launch in September 2021 until early December 2024, the UAE has signed 24
CEPAs with countries and international blocs, covering approximately 2.5 billion people—about a
quarter of the global population.

In the first half of 2024, UAE foreign trade reached a historic milestone, surpassing AED1.395 trillion,
reflecting an 11.2% growth compared to the same period in 2023. The growth rates reached 28.8%,
54.7%, and 66%, compared to the same periods in 2022, 2021, and 2019, respectively.

https://sharjah24.ae/en/Articles/2024/12/31/nk6