emirates7 - Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, reaffirmed the country's commitment to expanding its Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) in 2025. The UAE aims to establish partnerships with additional nations to maximize benefits for itself and its global trading partners.
Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Dr. Al Zeyoudi highlighted that these agreements are designed to reinforce rules-based international trade, promote sustainable development, attract investments, and enhance trade opportunities in goods, services, and re-exports.
He elaborated that the UAE's CEPA initiative seeks to broaden its global commercial and investment partnerships, positioning the country as a key gateway for non-oil goods and services and a global hub for trade and business. These agreements align with the UAE's vision of fostering free trade under clear rules, which drives sustainable economic growth and inclusive development. By diversifying partnerships across five continents, the UAE has significantly expanded opportunities for various industries and opened new markets.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi noted that the CEPAs have already positively impacted the UAE’s foreign trade, particularly in non-oil sectors, re-export services, logistics, renewable energy, technology, financial services, green industries, advanced materials, agriculture, and sustainable food systems. He added that these agreements continue to deliver tangible benefits, contributing directly to the country’s trade growth and bolstering critical sectors, including advanced technology.
Since the programme's inception in September 2021 and up until early December 2024, the UAE has signed 24 CEPAs with countries and international blocs, collectively covering approximately 2.5 billion people—about one-quarter of the global population.
In the first half of 2024, the UAE’s foreign trade reached a record AED1.395 trillion, representing an 11.2% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Growth rates in trade volumes reached 28.8%, 54.7%, and 66% when compared to the same periods in 2022, 2021, and 2019, respectively.
Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Dr. Al Zeyoudi highlighted that these agreements are designed to reinforce rules-based international trade, promote sustainable development, attract investments, and enhance trade opportunities in goods, services, and re-exports.
He elaborated that the UAE's CEPA initiative seeks to broaden its global commercial and investment partnerships, positioning the country as a key gateway for non-oil goods and services and a global hub for trade and business. These agreements align with the UAE's vision of fostering free trade under clear rules, which drives sustainable economic growth and inclusive development. By diversifying partnerships across five continents, the UAE has significantly expanded opportunities for various industries and opened new markets.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi noted that the CEPAs have already positively impacted the UAE’s foreign trade, particularly in non-oil sectors, re-export services, logistics, renewable energy, technology, financial services, green industries, advanced materials, agriculture, and sustainable food systems. He added that these agreements continue to deliver tangible benefits, contributing directly to the country’s trade growth and bolstering critical sectors, including advanced technology.
Since the programme's inception in September 2021 and up until early December 2024, the UAE has signed 24 CEPAs with countries and international blocs, collectively covering approximately 2.5 billion people—about one-quarter of the global population.
In the first half of 2024, the UAE’s foreign trade reached a record AED1.395 trillion, representing an 11.2% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Growth rates in trade volumes reached 28.8%, 54.7%, and 66% when compared to the same periods in 2022, 2021, and 2019, respectively.