{
  "id": 16868445,
  "title": "Trade deals should open more than markets",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/trade-deals-should-open-more-than-markets-16868445",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-28T07:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comment/2026/10/28/uae-canada-trade-cepa-economy-investment/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Trade agreements hold significant potential beyond merely opening markets. They can stimulate economic growth by boosting export competitiveness, sparking innovation, and expanding vital or emerging industries. The UAE recognized this potential in 2021 and sought to link its ecosystem with the world's leading economies. However, the true worth of a trade deal becomes evident when foreign direct investment and private-sector collaborations are unlocked. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) programme, which has facilitated substantial flows of resources, merchandise, and services to 40 nations across six continents, is now transitioning to translate access into enduring mutual benefits. The CEPA with Canada, recently signed, is a pivotal milestone in this process. It goes beyond being another addition to the trade network; it represents an integrated approach to economic partnerships where trade policy, investment, and business engagement operate concurrently.\n\nTrade barriers removal is merely the initial step in fostering and scaling economic opportunities. Every export demands infrastructure such as warehouses, freight corridors, port terminals, and local supplier networks. Investment in these assets enhances the competitiveness of entire business ecosystems, generating prospects for diverse companies. This is where trade policy and strategic investment intersect. Valuable insights emerged from India's experience. Post the signing of the CEPA in 2022, DP World committed $5 billion to bolster its integrated supply-chain network - building upon the $3 billion investment it had made over three decades. The initiative aims to reduce logistics costs, bolster local manufacturing, and expand access to global markets. The UAE envisions itself as a platform where businesses can expand, invest, innovate, and establish partnerships across multiple markets. Commercial relationships may precede trade agreements, but the CEPA programme has provided the confidence, assurance, and regulatory alignment that motivate businesses to pursue larger ambitions and form more profound partnerships. The impact of this approach is not confined to individual bilateral relationships; it can strengthen the overall value of the network accessible to businesses operating within it.",
  "summary": "Trade agreements are powerful tools for economic growth. By enhancing the competitiveness of exports, a nation can drive productivity, catalyse innovation and expand critical or emerging sectors. This is why the UAE moved to connect our ecosystem to the world’s most important economies in 2021 – and why we continue to explore closer ties with high-growth markets around the world. Increasingly,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}