UAE widens trade reach through expanding CEPA network
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai The UAE is accelerating its push into global markets through a rapidly expanding network of trade agreements designed to strengthen non-oil exports, attract investment and give domestic businesses easier access to major economies. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement programme has grown to 38 agreements since its launch in September 2021, extending the…
The United Arab Emirates is intensifying its global trade expansion through an increasingly extensive network of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs). Since the program's launch in September 2021, the number of agreements has reached 38, reaching across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Eighteen agreements are currently active, while others are progressing through signing, ratification, and implementation stages.
The CEPA framework is a key component of the UAE's economic diversification approach, aiming to raise non-oil foreign trade to approximately $1.1 trillion by 2031.
Canada has recently joined the expanding CEPA network, following 47 days of negotiations that concluded in July. The proposed deal is expected to lower tariffs and administrative barriers while enhancing access to sectors such as engineering, aerospace, agriculture, and clean technology for UAE-based companies. Two-way trade between the UAE and Canada amounted to C$3.5 billion in 2025 and has been growing at an average of 10% annually.
The UAE's strategy aims to diversify its trading partners, reducing dependence on a limited number of countries. Agreements with nations like India, Indonesia, Turkey, Serbia, Chile, Kenya, Malaysia, and Ukraine have established a network linking the UAE to major consumer markets, manufacturing centers, agricultural exporters, and emerging economies.
The bilateral UAE-Canada CEPA, signed in February 2022, entered into effect in May 2022, and has resulted in two-way trade surpassing $100 billion in the 2024-25 financial year. The UAE plans for bilateral trade to reach $200 billion by 2032.
Beyond tariff reductions, the modern CEPA agreements also cover services, investment protections, digital trade, regulatory cooperation, and provisions to facilitate cross-border business for SMEs. The UAE's strategic location between Asian, African, and European markets, along with its advanced ports, airports, and free-zone infrastructure, enables policymakers to leverage trade agreements alongside logistics and investment policies to bolster the country's role as an international commercial hub.
Written by urgent.news from Arabian Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
