The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Tunisia have officially launched negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aimed at bolstering bilateral trade and investment between the two nations. This agreement seeks to lower tariffs and trade barriers, enhance market access, and establish new pathways for investment across vital sectors.

During a virtual meeting, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Samir Obeid, Tunisia’s Minister of Trade and Export Development, highlighted the significant advantages of the CEPA. They noted that this agreement would serve as a strategic framework to promote trade, investment, and collaboration between the UAE and Tunisia.

Dr. Al Zeyoudi pointed out that Tunisia is a key trade partner for the UAE, emphasizing that the UAE is Tunisia’s top trade partner within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. He mentioned that non-oil trade between the two countries reached $350 million in 2024, marking a 7.7 percent increase compared to the previous year.

Minister Obeid remarked that these negotiations would lead to an innovative economic cooperation framework that benefits both countries, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and renewable energy.

The two nations will now move forward to negotiate the specific chapters and provisions of the CEPA, with the aim of crafting a balanced and fair agreement. This initiative aligns with the UAE’s broader strategy to double the size of its economy and enhance its role in international trade.

With a total of 26 CEPAs concluded and many agreements already in force, the UAE’s CEPA program has been instrumental in increasing access to high-growth markets. In 2024, the UAE’s total trade reached a record high of $816 billion, reflecting a 14.6 percent increase from 2023.