The UAE and Japan have reached an agreement on the final provisions of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
This partnership marks Japan’s first such agreement with an Arab nation and is expected to expand trade and investment ties between the two countries, paving the way for new avenues of mutually beneficial economic growth.
The announcement was made during the official visit of Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Japan.
During the visit, Dr Al Jaber discussed the CEPA agreement with Toshimitsu Motegi, Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The agreement highlights the shared commitment of the UAE and Japan to further strengthen their long-standing strategic relationship across multiple sectors, particularly in trade and investment.
It is also set to create new opportunities for collaboration in research and development, innovation, smart mobility, and energy security, in addition to financial services and digital transformation.
These focus areas support the UAE’s ambition to develop a knowledge-driven and innovation-led economy, while advancing the priorities of both nations under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework signed in 2022.
“The successful conclusion of negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and Japan reflects the leadership’s vision to deepen economic and trade relations with Japan and demonstrates the strength of the strategic partnership between our countries,” said Dr Sultan Al Jaber.
“The agreement will create new pathways for cooperation in advanced industries, technology, and resilient supply chains, offering greater opportunities for the private sectors of both nations to drive investment and innovation,” he added.
Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, also welcomed the conclusion of negotiations, stating that “The positive outcomes of our CEPA negotiations with Japan, one of the world’s largest economies and a key member of the G7, represent an important milestone in strengthening UAE-Japan relations.”
“By reducing trade barriers and encouraging greater investment flows, this CEPA will unlock fresh opportunities for our private sectors, supporting long-term partnerships that benefit both countries while advancing sustainability goals and shared prosperity,” he added.
The completion of the CEPA negotiations follows strong trade momentum between the two countries, with non-oil trade reaching $20.3 billion in 2025, an increase of 16.7 per cent compared to 2024.
