Mubasher: The non-oil trade between the UAE and Egypt reached approximately $8.40 billion in 2024, reflecting a 21% growth rate compared to 2023. This trade relationship underscores the importance of the UAE as Egypt's leading trade partner in the GCC and the wider Arab world.
Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, led a high-level government delegation to Egypt in December 2025, as negotiations continue to secure a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two nations.
The CEPA aims to build on this foundation by further enhancing trade flows, private sector collaboration and investment opportunities across various sectors, particularly agriculture, manufacturing, and renewable energy.
In a statement, Al Zeyoudi said: "Investing in our relationship with Egypt is crucial for both nations. A Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement will launch a new era of cooperation and collaboration, bringing mutual benefits and paving the way for increased trade, investment flows, and sustainable economic growth."
The technical teams have been working on various chapters of a future CEPA, focusing on critical points like product rules of origin, regulations for factories operating in free zones, trade in services, and digital commerce.
Meanwhile, the UAE's CEPA program aims to foster stronger economic ties and enhance trade relations with countries worldwide, as the UAE is not only expanding its foreign trade but also cementing its position as a leading global trade hub.
With 31 CEPAs signed and 14 already in force, the CEPA program reflects the UAE’s commitment to diversifying its economy and has played a crucial role in enhancing the UAE’s access to high-growth markets, contributing significantly to the UAE’s total trade which reached an all-time high of $810 billion in 2024.
