In recent years, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has prioritized trade, committing to economic diversification and moving away from dependence on the oil industry. To further expand this crucial area, the UAE launched the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) program in September 2021, and has so far reached 26 agreements with strategically important countries and international groups.
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04-09, 2025The program aims to expand the UAE's commercial and investment partnerships globally, positioning the UAE as a key gateway for non-oil goods and services, and as a global hub for commerce and investment. Simultaneously, the program supports the realization of the "We the UAE 2031" vision, which aims to increase the UAE's total non-oil commodity foreign trade to 4 trillion dirhams ($1.09 trillion) and increase non-oil exports to 800 billion dirhams ($217.81 billion) by 2031.
In 2025 alone, the UAE signed five new CEPAs with Malaysia, New Zealand, Kenya, Ukraine, and the Central African Republic. These agreements significantly expand the UAE's global trade network and create new opportunities for the UAE's private sector and business community in some of the world's most dynamic economies. Key beneficiary sectors of these agreements include logistics, clean and renewable energy, advanced technologies and applications, financial services, green industries, advanced materials, agriculture, and sustainable food systems.
Of the CEPA agreements signed by the UAE, six have officially come into effect, and fourteen others have been signed and are currently undergoing technical and approval procedures in preparation for implementation. In addition, negotiations for six more agreements have been completed and are expected to be signed soon. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, stated earlier this year that the UAE's non-oil foreign trade continues to rise, reaching 3 trillion dirhams in 2024, a record annual growth rate of 14.6% compared to 2023.
In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Al Zeyoudi said: "In 2024, our non-oil foreign trade reached a record high of 2.997 trillion dirhams, an increase of 14.6% compared to 2023, while the average global trade growth is about 2.4%. This milestone also means that we have achieved 75% of the 4 trillion dirham target set in the 'We the UAE 2031' national vision, and we still have seven years to go."
Al Zeyoudi explained that the most encouraging indicator last year was the increasing contribution of non-oil exports to the UAE's foreign trade. Last year, these exports grew by 27.6% to a record 561.2 billion dirhams, approaching 70% of the 800 billion dirham target. Exports now account for 18.7% of the UAE's total trade, up from 16.8% in 2023 and 14.1% in 2019.
"Expanding foreign trade is at the heart of our national economic strategy, and through our CEPA program, we are expanding opportunities for the private sector by enhancing access to high-growth markets around the world. In 2024, we have already been able to see the positive impact of this program," he added.
The results of the four key CEPA agreements that have already come into effect highlight the positive impact of the program on the UAE economy. For example, non-oil trade between the UAE and India grew by 20.5%, and by the end of 2024, the UAE's exports to India had surged by 75%. Meanwhile, trade with Turkey grew by more than 11%, trade with Indonesia grew by more than 15%, and trade with Georgia grew by a staggering 56%.
"In 2024, total exports to CEPA partner countries reached 135 billion dirhams, an increase of 42.3%, accounting for 24% of our total non-oil exports. India and Turkey are the two main destinations for non-oil exports," Al Zeyoudi added.
In 2024, the UAE's exports to its top ten trading partners also increased by 37.1%, while exports to other countries increased by 13.4%. The main export commodities in 2024 included gold, jewelry, cigarettes, petroleum-based oils, aluminum, copper wire, printed materials, perfumes, and iron-based products, with a total growth of 40.8% compared to 2023. Re-export trade also achieved significant growth, reaching 734.4 billion dirhams in 2024, an increase of 7.3% compared to 2023, and an increase of 14.1% and 36.2% compared to 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Throughout 2025, the CEPA program will continue to expand the UAE's trade and investment partnerships, strengthening the country's position as an open and multilateral global trading hub. The UAE is also in the final stages of CEPA negotiations with several major economies, most notably Japan, and negotiations are expected to conclude before the end of 2025.
The UAE's ambitious CEPA program continues to drive the country's economic diversification efforts, solidifying its position as a global trade and investment center. With record non-oil trade volumes and a rapidly expanding network of strategic partnerships, the country is on track to achieve its "We the UAE 2031" vision ahead of schedule. As new agreements come into effect and negotiations with major economies progress, the foreign trade landscape will become even more dynamic, thereby driving the UAE's economic growth and progress in key growth areas.
