UAE–Egypt CEPA Talks Move Forward After High-Level Cairo Meeting
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is getting closer to signing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Egypt, as talks between the two countries continue to make strong progress.
The UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, led a senior government delegation to Cairo for discussions with Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Hassan Al-Khatib. During the visit, both ministers reviewed the progress made so far by technical teams working on the proposed CEPA agreement.
According to an official statement released on Monday, the meetings focused on speeding up negotiations and expanding economic cooperation between the UAE and Egypt. Officials from both sides said the talks have reached an advanced stage, showing strong political support and shared economic goals between the two governments.
Technical teams from the UAE and Egypt are currently discussing several key areas under the CEPA. These include rules of origin for products, regulations for factories operating in free zones, trade in services, and digital trade. These issues are important to ensure fair trade, smooth business operations, and modern economic cooperation between both countries.
Al Zeyoudi said that signing a CEPA would mark a new chapter in relations between the UAE and Egypt. He explained that the agreement would help increase trade, encourage investment, and support long-term economic growth for both nations. He also highlighted that the partnership would create more opportunities for businesses and investors.
Egypt’s Minister Hassan Al-Khatib said the next phase of talks will require stronger joint efforts to resolve the remaining issues and reach a balanced agreement that benefits both sides. He identified textiles, engineering, and chemical industries as key sectors where cooperation can be expanded.
Al-Khatib also said that discussions included digital trade and trade in services. He stressed Egypt’s commitment to attracting new investments, improving the business environment, and turning opportunities into real projects that deliver results.
Al Zeyoudi reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to strengthening its economic ties with Egypt. He said the UAE aims to boost regional and global competitiveness through deeper economic integration. He added that the UAE looks forward to building on current progress to unlock new trade and investment opportunities, especially by encouraging greater involvement from the private sector.
In terms of trade, the UAE and Egypt already have strong economic links. In 2024, non-oil trade between the two countries reached about $8.4 billion, representing a 21 percent increase compared to the previous year. This growth confirms the UAE’s position as Egypt’s top trade partner within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and across the Arab region.
The CEPA is expected to build on this positive momentum by strengthening cooperation between private companies and opening new investment opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and renewable energy.
The talks with Egypt are part of the UAE’s wider CEPA program, which aims to expand trade and economic partnerships with key countries around the world. So far, the UAE has signed 31 CEPA agreements, with 14 already in effect. These agreements have helped the UAE access fast-growing markets, support economic diversification, and push total trade to a record $810 billion in 2024.
Published: 30th December 2025
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