UAE’s Strategic CEPA Network Propels Trade Growth to Record Levels

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid announced that the United Arab Emirates now stands at 75% of its predetermined foreign trade target, which aims to reach AED 4 trillion (US$1.1 trillion) by 2031. UAE trade activity expanded by 14.6 percent while global trade gained 2 percent, leading to US$816.7 billion in total transactions in 2024. Through their active CEPAs strategy, the United Arab Emirates achieved a strong 14.6 percent trade growth which built 20 signed partnerships while another seven agreements reached finalization and negotiations began with ten countries.

UAE’s CEPA Landscape at a Glance

The UAE has built a large number of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements that cover all major regions of the world. The deals encompass more than regular trade contracts because they contain investment rules along with regulations for market competition and government contracting.

CountrySigningEnforcement
IndiaFeb-22May-22
IsraelMay-22Apr-23
IndonesiaJul-22Sep-23
TürkiyeMar-23Sep-23
CambodiaJun-23Jan-24
GeorgiaOct-23Jun-24
ColombiaApr-24
Costa RicaApr-24
South KoreaMay-24
ChileJul-24
MauritiusJul-24
VietnamOct-24
JordanOct-24
SerbiaOct-24
AustraliaNov-24
MalaysiaJan-25
KenyaJan-25
New ZealandJan-25
UkraineFeb-25
Central African RepublicMar-25

Additionally, the UAE has concluded negotiations with 7 more countries, awaiting formal signing:

CountryDate of Conclusion
Congo-BrazzavilleDec-23
MoroccoJul-24
Russian FederationDec-24
ArmeniaDec-24
KazakhstanDec-24
KyrgyzstanDec-24
BelarusDec-24

Strategic Tiering of Trade Partners

The UAE decides which nations to partner with through its CEPA strategy using two classes depending on their share of UAE global trade.

CountryCategoryShare of UAE’s Global Trade (2023)Total Trade Value with the UAE (US$ Billion – 2023)Current Stage
IndiaTier 17.62%54.2Signed
TürkiyeTier 15.11%36.4Signed
JapanTier 12.44%17.33Under Negotiation
VietnamTier 11.71%12.17Signed
Russian FederationTier 11.53%10.88Negotiations Concluded
PakistanTier 11.12%8Under Negotiation
ThailandTier 10.98%6.96Under Negotiation
South KoreaTier 10.83%5.9Signed
MalaysiaTier 10.68%4.87Signed
ArmeniaTier 10.66%4.73Negotiations Concluded
IndonesiaTier 10.65%4.62Signed
BrazilTier 10.62%4.38Under Negotiation
AustraliaTier 10.59%4.2Signed
JordanTier 10.58%4.16Signed
KazakhstanTier 10.54%3.87Negotiations Concluded
KenyaTier 20.44%3.14Signed
Congo-BrazzavilleTier 20.42%3Negotiations Concluded
KyrgyzstanTier 20.38%2.7Negotiations Concluded
IsraelTier 20.33%2.34Signed
PhilippinesTier 20.16%1.14Under Negotiation
MoroccoTier 20.14%0.98Negotiations Concluded
BoliviaTier 20.13%0.928Under Negotiation
New ZealandTier 20.11%0.77Signed
EcuadorTier 20.10%0.68Under Negotiation
BelarusTier 20.09%0.673Negotiations Concluded
ColombiaTier 20.08%0.55Signed
Central African RepublicTier 20.07%0.53Signed
GeorgiaTier 20.07%0.52Signed
ArgentinaTier 20.06%0.45Under Negotiation
CambodiaTier 20.06%0.41Signed
UkraineTier 20.05%0.38Signed
ChileTier 20.04%0.31Signed
ParaguayTier 20.02%0.176Under Negotiation
MauritiusTier 20.02%0.17Signed
SerbiaTier 20.02%0.12Signed
Costa RicaTier 20.01%0.067Signed
UruguayTier 20.00%0.03Under Negotiation

Geopolitical Impact and Future Directions

The UAE’s trade agreement program shows smart international placement by connecting both Ukraine and Russia but putting main business deals in Asia. Most major Western economies prefer GCC-wide deals instead of bilateral deals with Gulf countries, as shown by their lack of participation in negotiations with Gulf countries.

UAE’s bilateral CEPAs and GCC customs union hold a multilayered connection. Countries take different paths in their trade relationships as numerous sign GCC FTAs and UAE CEPAs simultaneously while both options are available for these deals. Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi’s continuing expansion of the CEPA program by 2025 allows UAE to become both a leading Middle East trading hub and an important global business partner throughout the world.

Amina

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