The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and Jordan will come into effect tomorrow, marking a milestone in regional economic cooperation and the first CEPA the UAE has signed with an Arab nation.
The agreement aims to deepen trade and investment ties, eliminate or reduce tariffs, and expand market access between the two countries. It sets a target to increase bilateral non-oil trade to over US$8 billion by 2032. In 2024, non-oil trade reached approximately US$5.62 billion — a 34.1% increase from the previous year.
UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi called the agreement “a new era of collaboration,” highlighting its role in advancing shared growth and prosperity. The CEPA is also expected to create opportunities in sectors such as renewable energy, logistics, pharmaceuticals, and tourism.
Jordan, the UAE’s fifth-largest trading partner globally, has seen bilateral non-oil trade grow by 138% over the last decade. The UAE is also the largest foreign investor in Jordan, with mutual investments estimated at US$22.5 billion.
By removing trade barriers and supporting SMEs, the CEPA will strengthen supply chains and foster entrepreneurship. Jordan’s skilled workforce and industrial capabilities are seen as a complement to the UAE’s strengths in energy, infrastructure, and finance.
The agreement follows three rounds of negotiations and is part of the UAE’s broader CEPA programme, which supports its goal of doubling the national economy to US$800 billion by 2030. In 2024, the UAE recorded US$816 billion in non-oil trade — up 14.6% from 2023 — driven in part by its expanding network of CEPA agreements covering over a quarter of the global population.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
