The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and New Zealand is now officially in force, signaling a new chapter in trade and investment ties. Signed in January 2025, the agreement aims to eliminate or reduce tariffs, streamline customs procedures, and strengthen collaboration between private sectors. Notably, it marks New Zealand’s first trade agreement with a Middle Eastern nation, underlining its strategic importance for regional engagement.
Trade Forecasts and Market Access
The CEPA is projected to increase annual bilateral trade to over $5 billion by 2032, a significant rise from the $1.5 billion average recorded between 2019 and 2023. Under the deal, New Zealand offers 100 percent duty-free access to UAE imports, while the UAE grants 98.5 percent duty-free access to New Zealand products. This broad tariff removal is expected to spur growth across multiple industries, including food production, renewable energy, education, and advanced technologies.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, stated: “The ratification of the UAE–New Zealand CEPA marks a historic milestone in our economic partnership, fostering innovation and sustainable growth for mutual benefit. This agreement not only enhances our trade relations but also opens new avenues for investment and private sector collaboration in key sectors such as food production, education, renewable energy, and advanced technologies.”
Strategic Significance and Broader Goals
New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Investment, Todd McClay, emphasized: “This agreement marks a transformative moment in New Zealand’s trade history. The CEPA with the UAE not only opens doors for our exporters and investors but also reflects our shared commitment to growth. We look forward to deepening our partnership across sectors that matter most to our people—from food and energy to innovation and education.”
The CEPA initiative is a cornerstone of the UAE’s foreign trade strategy, which targets $1 trillion in total trade value by 2031 and aims to double the economy to over $800 billion in the same period. Since its launch in 2021, the UAE’s CEPA program has finalized agreements with 28 countries, providing businesses with enhanced access to markets that represent nearly a quarter of the global population. The inclusion of New Zealand further strengthens the UAE’s role as a global trade hub and creates new growth opportunities for both nations in technology, agri-food, and sustainable industries.
