UAE, Tunisia Begin Negotiations for Comprehensive Economic Partnership

UAE, 20 March, 2025 : The UAE and Tunisia have officially launched negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to strengthen trade and investment ties between the two nations.

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Samir Obeid, Tunisia’s Minister of Trade and Export Development, announced the initiative during a virtual meeting, reaffirming their commitment to deepening economic cooperation. The CEPA aims to enhance trade flows by reducing tariffs, improving market access, and facilitating investment across key sectors.

Al Zeyoudi highlighted Tunisia as a valued partner, noting that UAE-Tunisia non-oil trade reached $350 million in 2024, a 7.7% increase from 2023. He emphasized that the CEPA would create new opportunities for economic collaboration and growth.

Obeid described the agreement as a pivotal step toward a comprehensive framework for trade and investment cooperation. He stressed that it would benefit both nations by unlocking extensive opportunities in priority sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and renewable energy.

The negotiations align with the UAE’s broader strategy to expand its global trade footprint. With 26 CEPA agreements concluded, the UAE’s total trade reached a record $816 billion in 2024, marking a 14.6% increase over the previous year.