The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and Ukraine officially took effect on July 1, marking a major step forward in economic relations between the two countries and opening new doors for trade and investment.
The deal will scrap or cut tariffs across a wide range of goods and services, giving businesses in both nations easier access to each other's markets. With immediate effect, 99 percent of Ukrainian imports of UAE goods and 97 percent of Ukrainian exports to the UAE are now exempt from customs duties.
Officials expect the agreement to add $369 million to the UAE's GDP and $874 million to Ukraine's GDP by 2031. Non-oil trade between the two countries stood at $346.8 million in 2025, well below the $904.4 million peak recorded in 2021, and the CEPA is designed to help close that gap.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, called the agreement a landmark moment for the partnership. He said it would help revive trade flows, create new investment opportunities and encourage cooperation across key sectors, while aligning the two economies toward steady and sustainable growth.
The agreement forms part of the UAE's broader push to widen its global trade network. It has now signed 37 CEPAs in total, with 17 having come into force, as the country continues positioning itself as a central hub for international commerce.
The deal with Ukraine adds a European partner to that growing list, reinforcing the UAE's ambitions to strengthen ties beyond its traditional regional and Asian trade relationships.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
