UAE and Thailand Conclude CEPA Talks, Aim to Boost Trade and Investment
The UAE and Thailand have successfully concluded negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), designed to eliminate trade barriers and strengthen bilateral economic ties.
The United Arab Emirates and Thailand have finalised negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, an accord set to significantly boost trade and investment between the two nations.
Talks for the CEPA commenced in 2023, the same year a joint business council was established to foster economic collaboration. The agreement aims to accelerate trade flows, unlock new investment opportunities, and enhance private sector cooperation across several key sectors.
Key Sectors for Cooperation
The CEPA is expected to drive growth and collaboration in areas including:
- Advanced manufacturing
- Logistics
- Food security
- Digital trade
- Renewable energy
- Precious metals
Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, highlighted Thailand as one of the most dynamic economies in its region, noting that the agreement will create new avenues for businesses, investors, and entrepreneurs in both countries to access high-growth markets. He emphasised that the CEPA embodies a shared commitment to building stronger economic connections between Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Economic Impact and Future Steps
Bilateral non-oil trade between the UAE and Thailand saw a substantial increase, jumping by more than 75% year-on-year in the first half of 2026 to $10.2 billion. Last year, overall trade grew by over 65% to $12.3 billion. The UAE's primary non-oil exports to Thailand include gold, aluminium, and other industrial goods.
These figures underscore the growing economic integration and the potential for further expansion through the CEPA, which will reduce trade barriers, improve market access, and stimulate investment. The agreement is aligned with the UAE's broader foreign trade agenda, which seeks to increase non-oil foreign trade to AED 4 trillion ($1.1 trillion) by 2031. The UAE has now signed 38 CEPAs as part of its strategy to diversify its non-oil economy and expand exports.
The next phase involves finalising the legal and technical procedures required before the agreement can be officially signed and implemented.
Questions, answered
- What is the primary goal of the UAE-Thailand CEPA?
- The primary goal is to remove trade barriers, accelerate trade flows, unlock new investment opportunities, and strengthen private sector cooperation between the two countries in various strategic sectors.
- Which sectors are expected to benefit most from the CEPA?
- Key sectors expected to benefit include advanced manufacturing, logistics, food security, digital trade, renewable energy, and precious metals.
- What was the value of non-oil trade between the UAE and Thailand recently?
- Bilateral non-oil trade reached $10.2 billion in the first half of 2026, marking a more than 75% year-on-year increase. Total trade for the last year grew over 65% to $12.3 billion.
- What are the UAE's main non-oil exports to Thailand?
- The UAE's key non-oil exports to Thailand include gold, aluminium, and other industrial goods.
- How does this CEPA fit into the UAE's broader economic strategy?
- This agreement supports the UAE's foreign trade agenda, which aims to increase non-oil foreign trade to AED 4 trillion ($1.1 trillion) by 2031, by boosting investment ties, expanding its non-oil economic base, and broadening exports.
This brief was summarised and rewritten by Gaia Living from public reporting. Figures and details reflect the original sources.
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