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The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is anticipated to substantially boost export opportunities for Vietnamese businesses in the Middle East and Africa. A seminar organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Center, in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Trade's Agency for Foreign Trade, highlighted the potential for growth.

Experts emphasized that while tariff advantages are significant, businesses must also align with market requirements to capitalize on the new opportunities.

Pham Binh An, a former deputy director, pointed out that the UAE's GDP is projected to reach approximately US$517.7 billion by 2025, with the non-oil sector contributing 77 percent of its economy. Being largely reliant on imports due to limited agricultural output, the UAE imports nearly 85-90 percent of its food supply. The country's diverse consumer market, with foreign residents comprising a majority, presents substantial opportunities for Vietnamese agricultural products, seafood, processed foods, and consumer goods.

Moreover, the UAE acts as a crucial trade and logistics hub, facilitating the swift distribution of goods across Asia, Europe, and Africa through its advanced seaport system and logistics infrastructure. This strategic advantage allows Vietnamese businesses to leverage the UAE as a distribution center, rather than relying solely on direct sales to consumers.

Upon the effective implementation of CEPA on February 3, 2026, tariff duties on 99 percent of Vietnamese-origin goods have been eliminated. However, businesses should not overlook the need to meet market requirements and establish strong relationships with importers to fully leverage the tariff benefits. Products such as agricultural goods, processed foods, seafood, textiles, garments, footwear, wood products, furniture, and consumer goods are expected to benefit from these tariff preferences.

Nevertheless, businesses must undertake careful market research, improve product quality, and build robust relationships with importers. Once a stable distribution network is established, companies can expand their reach to other member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and subsequently venture into other Middle Eastern and African markets that align with their product offerings.

To ensure long-term success, businesses need to select capable partners, accurately calculate all associated costs including transportation, warehousing, and distribution, and strictly adhere to regulations concerning food safety, traceability, and Halal standards applicable to their products. Importers should be mindful that goods exported from Vietnam to the UAE and subsequently re-exported to third countries may not automatically be eligible for CEPA tariff preferences.

To support enterprises in this endeavor, the Ministry of Industry and Trade's Agency for Foreign Trade will focus on providing market intelligence, offering training on Halal standards, facilitating connections with importers, and supporting participation in specialized trade exhibitions across the UAE, the Middle East, and Africa.

These initiatives aim to help enterprises enhance their supply capacity, build distribution networks, and gradually increase their export market share.