Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the Minister of State for Foreign Trade, emphasized that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and the Central African Republic demonstrates the leadership's dedication to strengthening trade and investment collaboration globally. This initiative aligns with the UAE's goals of economic diversification and sustainable development.
In an interview with the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Al Zeyoudi noted that the agreement is expected to generate new growth and prosperity opportunities for businesses in both countries. He projected that bilateral trade could exceed AED3.67 billion over the next five to seven years, benefiting both nations.
He observed that non-oil trade between the UAE and the Central African Republic is on the rise, surpassing AED 925 million in 2024, which underscores the swift growth of trade relations between the two nations.
Al Zeyoudi elaborated that the agreement facilitates a high degree of trade liberalization, with the UAE eliminating 98 percent of tariffs on goods from the Central African Republic, while the latter offers a 99.5 percent tariff reduction on UAE exports. This creates substantial opportunities for Emirati exporters to penetrate the African market.
He emphasized that the agreement opens up significant investment prospects across various service sectors, including telecommunications, hospitality, logistics, financial technology, and other business areas. Additionally, it strengthens trade and investment collaboration in key sectors such as aluminum, ceramics, petrochemicals, iron, silver, gold, food products, and textiles.
Al Zeyoudi emphasized that the partnership aims to enhance collaboration in emerging economic sectors, especially the digital economy and advanced technology. It will also create new opportunities for small and medium enterprises in both nations and support the development of integrated investment projects in the near future. He highlighted that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and the Central African Republic will bolster bilateral trade and investment ties, stimulate growth in key sectors, generate job opportunities, improve supply chains, and broaden the UAE’s global trade network into new markets for mutual advantage.
