Introduction
The United Arab Emirates launched its Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement program in September 2021 as part of the Projects of the 50 initiative. This strategic program aims to strengthen the UAE’s position as a global trade and logistics hub while driving economic diversification away from oil dependence. The UAE targets reaching 4 trillion dirhams in non-oil foreign trade and 800 billion dirhams in non-oil exports by 2031.1
As of January 2026, the UAE has concluded 32 CEPAs with countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and Oceania. These agreements eliminate or reduce tariffs, remove technical barriers to trade, enhance market access, simplify customs procedures, and create investment opportunities.
What is a CEPA?
A Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement is a free trade agreement between two countries designed to reduce or eliminate barriers to trade and investment. Unlike standard free trade agreements that focus primarily on tariff reductions, CEPAs cover a broader scope including trade in goods and services, investment regulations, intellectual property rights, digital trade, government procurement, and dispute settlement mechanisms.
Implemented CEPAs (In Force)
This agreement was signed 18 February 2022 and came into effect on 1 May 2022.2 It is the UAE’s first CEPA and quickly unlocked trade: by 2025 non-oil trade was growing rapidly (about USD 37.6 billion in H1 2025). It reduced tariffs on most imports and created rules to protect digital trade and investments. The UAE and India set an ambitious goal to reach USD 100 billion in non-oil trade by 2030.3 The CEPA’s liberalization has opened new markets and opportunities for businesses in both countries.
Signed in May 2022 and active from 1 April 2023, the UAE-Israel deal was the UAE’s first with Israel.4 It immediately lifts tariffs on almost 96 percent of UAE exports to Israel and about 99 percent of trade value. The CEPA creates open market conditions for services and digital trade, and is expected to boost business ties. According to the reports, a customs protocol signed in March 2023 enabled the CEPA to enter into force, and officials say it will widen trade and investment cooperation.5
The UAE-Indonesia agreement was signed on 1 July 2022 and took effect on 1 September 2023.6 This CEPA liberalizes trade in goods and services, and by 2025 is projected to triple trade volume within five years. For example, it will eliminate duties on about 80 percent of tariff lines. The reports note that bilateral non-oil trade reached USD 4.08 billion in 2022, and under the CEPA it could exceed USD 10 billion in five years.7 Both sides expect significant export growth thanks to these tariff cuts and improved market access.
Signed 3 March 2023 and effective 1 September 2023, the UAE-Turkey CEPA covers almost all tariff lines. It immediately eliminates customs duties on 83 percent of goods traded between the countries.8 It is noted that Turkey was one of the UAE’s fastest-growing trade partners, and forecasts see bilateral trade rising sharply, potentially reaching USD 40 billion within five years. The CEPA also encourages cooperation in investment and high-tech sectors. The Ministry of Economy highlights that this agreement deepens a new strategic partnership and is expected to accelerate growth for both economies.9
Signed on 8 June 2023 and entered into force 31 January 202410, the UAE-Cambodia CEPA builds on modest trade (USD 407 million in 2022). It covers 92 percent of tariff lines and is expected to more than double non-oil trade within five years. The deal cuts duties and opens service sectors. Both governments stress that it creates a foundation for deeper ties and new investment, for example, UAE exports gain wider access to Cambodia, and Cambodia’s strategic location benefits from UAE connectivity.11
The UAE-Georgia CEPA was signed on 10 October 2023 and became effective 27 June 2024.12 It provides virtually tariff-free access to over 92 percent of products in each market. According to Georgian officials, since taking effect in mid-2024 this CEPA has opened new opportunities in technology, agriculture, and tourism. Georgia highlights that the CEPA has created joint venture prospects in tech and processing industries, leveraging Georgia’s trade links to Europe and the CIS region.13
Signed 17 April 2024 and in force from 1 April 2025, the UAE-Costa Rica CEPA is the first UAE agreement with Central America. It covers virtually all trade: 99.8 percent of UAE exports to Costa Rica are now duty-free. The reports note that Costa Rica’s non-oil trade with the UAE reached USD 82.6 million in 2024 and is growing rapidly. Under the CEPA, tariffs on most goods are eliminated immediately and services sectors are opened, creating a framework for more bilateral investment.14
The UAE-Mauritius CEPA was concluded in late 2023 and came into force 2 April 2025. It is the UAE’s first CEPA with an African mainland country. The agreement eliminates tariffs on the vast majority of goods (over 97 percent of UAE exports to Mauritius) and simplifies trade procedures. The reports project that bilateral trade (which was USD 209.8 million in 2023) could jump to USD 500 million within five years. Both sides expect strong growth in sectors like tourism, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture under this CEPA.15
Signed 6 October 2024 and effective 15 May 2025, the UAE-Jordan CEPA is the first UAE CEPA with an Arab country.16 It liberalizes over 98 percent of goods trade and opens services markets. It is noted that the aim is to boost non-oil trade to USD 8 billion by 2032 (up from USD 5.6 billion in 2024). Both governments say the CEPA will empower SMEs and advance sectors like renewable energy, chemicals and tourism. The Ministry of Economy highlights that with this CEPA the UAE-Jordan trade partnership moves into a “new era” of cooperation.17
The UAE-Serbia CEPA was signed on 5 October 2024 and came into force on 1 June 2025.18 This is the first UAE trade agreement with a country outside the WTO (Serbia is in the process of accession). It eliminates duties on over 96 percent of traded goods. It is reported that bilateral trade had doubled to about USD 121 million in 2024, and the CEPA is expected to add roughly USD 351 million to the UAE economy by 2031. The agreement focuses on sectors such as logistics, energy, and technology, and is seen as strengthening a gateway to Eastern Europe.19
Signed on 14 January 2025 and effective 28 August 202520, this deal is New Zealand’s first with any Middle East country. It liberalizes virtually all goods (99 percent duty-free access) and opens many service sectors. The reports expect annual bilateral trade to rise from roughly USD 1.5 billion (average 2019-23) to over USD 5 billion by 2032 under this CEPA. Both sides emphasize partnerships in food, technology and education as key outcomes.21
Signed on 6 November 2024 and effective 1 October 2025, the UAE-Australia CEPA covers almost all goods and includes chapters on green energy, infrastructure, mining and agriculture.22 When it entered into force, it was noted that it would raise bilateral trade from about USD 4.2 billion in 2024 to over USD 10 billion by 2032. The CEPA also includes a new investment protection pact and several MOUs on priority sectors. Officials say it is Australia’s first trade deal with a Middle East country and a major step for both economies.23
Signed on 14 January 2025 and effective 1 October 2025, this agreement deepens ties with Southeast Asia. It eliminates tariffs on almost all qualifying goods and improves services trade.24 The reports project it will more than double bilateral trade: Malaysian imports from the UAE (USD 5.5 billion in 2024) could grow towards a target of USD 13.5 billion by 2032. The UAE views Malaysia as a key ASEAN partner, noting that removing barriers will open new markets for both sides.25
Signed on 29 July 2024 and effective 24 November 2025, this agreement links the UAE with South America. It eliminates 99.5 percent of duties on UAE imports from Chile and opens services and investment flows.26 In 2024 the UAE’s non-oil trade with Chile was only USD 270 million, but the CEPA is expected to push it beyond USD 500 million within five years. Both ministers say the deal will boost opportunities in mining, renewable energy, tourism and agriculture. Chilean officials note it is their first free-trade pact with a Gulf nation and will raise bilateral trade levels significantly.27
CEPAs Signed (Pending Entry into Force)
- UAE-Philippines (signed Jan 2026): This CEPA was signed 13 January 2026 during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. It cuts tariffs and trade barriers and opens key sectors (e.g. electrical equipment, agriculture, services), with projected economic gains, e.g. a USD 2.4 billion boost to UAE GDP by 2032.
- UAE-Nigeria (signed Jan 2026): Agreed on 13 January 2026 with Presidents Mohamed bin Zayed and Tinubu, this landmark CEPA will slash customs duties on most goods and foster collaboration in tech, agriculture, energy and other sectors. Bilateral non-oil trade had already reached USD 4.3 billion in 2024, the deal is expected to accelerate that growth.
- UAE-Ukraine (signed Feb 2025): Signed 17 February 2025, the UAE-Ukraine CEPA will eliminate duties on 99 percent of UAE exports to Ukraine and 97 percent of Ukraine’s exports to the UAE. Officials expect trade to double and contribute hundreds of millions to both economies by 2031. (The CEPA’s full implementation began in 2025, pending ratification.)
- UAE-Azerbaijan (signed Jul 2025): Signed 9 July 2025, this agreement binds two major energy/investment partners. It targets broad tariff cuts and investment in renewables, tourism, logistics and construction. UAE-Azerbaijan trade had jumped 43 percent to USD 2.4 billion in 2024, and this CEPA is designed to deepen that trajectory.
- UAE-Kenya (signed Jan 2025): Concluded 14 January 2025, this CEPA removes duties on most traded goods and promotes investment in agriculture, healthcare, financial services, etc. It builds on a 29 percent jump in non-oil trade to USD 3.1 billion in Jan-Sep 2024. Officials say the deal will strengthen supply chains and open new markets across Africa.
- UAE-Central African Republic (signed Mar 2025): Signed 6 March 2025, this agreement liberalizes roughly 92 percent of tariff lines. It leverages a modest base (non-oil trade approximately USD 252 million in 2024) into broader ties in agriculture, infrastructure and mining. The CEPA removes key tariffs and barriers, laying groundwork to more than double bilateral trade over five years.
- UAE-Republic of the Congo (signed Apr 2025): Concluded 8 April 2025, this CEPA will eliminate duties on over 99 percent of goods for UAE exports and 98 percent for Congolese exports over five years. It is projected to raise two-way non-oil trade from USD 3.1 billion (2024) to about USD 7.2 billion by 2032. The deal spans diverse sectors and aims to deepen the UAE’s footprint in Central Africa.
- UAE-Angola (announced Aug 2025): Announced 25 August 2025, this CEPA targets Angola’s vast energy and resources sectors. It will phase out most tariffs, remove barriers, and open services (e.g. logistics, finance, healthcare). The UAE forecasts bilateral trade could surge to approximately 10 billion dollars per year by 2033 as a result. (The agreement will take effect after ratification by both sides.)
- UAE-South Korea (signed May 2024): Signed 29 May 2024, this landmark CEPA removes nearly all tariffs and barriers. It covers goods, energy, resources, healthcare, advanced industries and more. South Korea is the UAE’s largest Asian trade partner after India; the CEPA opens Korean markets for UAE exports and vice versa. (The deal was expected to enter into force by end-2025.)
- UAE-Colombia (signed Apr 2024): Signed 19 April 2024, this CEPA eliminated duties across most tariff lines. It builds on a 43 percent jump in trade to USD 53.1 million in 2023. The agreement boosts cooperation in energy, environment, tourism and agriculture, and opens each country’s markets (UAE as gateway to Middle East/Africa, Colombia as gateway to Latin America).
CEPAs Under Negotiation or Finalization
- UAE-Japan and UAE-EU: Negotiations are at an advanced stage, with multiple rounds of talks completed and agreement expected by end of 2025. These CEPAs (with the world’s third- and seventh-largest economies) will cover goods, services, investment, digital trade, etc., and are intended to strengthen ties across Asia and Europe.
- UAE-Morocco: Terms were finalized in July 2024, following which a joint declaration was signed. When implemented, the CEPA will remove most tariffs and open services between the UAE and Morocco. Morocco’s trade with the UAE was USD 1.3 billion in 2023; the CEPA will build on that and deepen investment links (Morocco is the UAE’s largest African economic partner after Egypt).
- UAE-Mercosur (South America): Talks have reached the final stage. Once signed (expected soon), this CEPA will connect the UAE to the Mercosur bloc (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay) by cutting tariffs and boosting trade in energy, agriculture and other sectors.
- UAE-Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU): A CEPA with the EAEU (Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus) was signed in July 2025, liberalizing approximately 95 percent of trade. (Bilateral service/investment pacts with Russia and Belarus have also been signed.) The EAEU deal creates near free trade between the UAE and Eurasia, spanning oil, minerals, tech and more.
- Other Negotiations: The UAE is also finalizing CEPAs with Armenia and Belarus (agreements largely concluded) and has advanced talks with other markets. In particular, the UAE is in late-stage discussions with Japan and the EU, and has noted progress on pacts with Nigeria and Mercosur. All these efforts reflect the UAE’s strategy (under “Projects of the 50”) to conclude a network of CEPAs that drive its non-oil trade toward AED 4 trillion by 2031.
The UAE’s CEPA program represents one of the most ambitious trade policy initiatives undertaken by any country in recent years. With 32 agreements concluded as of January 2026 and 14 already in force, the program is delivering tangible economic benefits through increased trade volumes, enhanced investment flows, and stronger economic partnerships.
The UAE continues to expand its network through ongoing negotiations with major economies including Japan, the European Union, and Canada, while also pursuing partnerships across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. This comprehensive approach to trade policy strengthens the UAE’s position as a vital link in global supply chains connecting the Arab world, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
For businesses operating in or exporting to the UAE, CEPAs provide unprecedented opportunities to access preferential tariffs, simplified customs procedures, and enhanced market access across a growing network of partner countries. The program supports the UAE’s vision of building a diversified, resilient, and globally integrated economy positioned for sustainable growth in the decades ahead.
