UAE, 09 June, 2025 : The UAE-Jordan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) officially came into force on 15 May 2025, following its signing on 6 October 2024. The deal marks a milestone as the first CEPA between two Arab nations, aiming to deepen economic ties and boost trade.
Trade between the UAE and Jordan reached USD 5.62 billion in 2024, up 34% year-on-year. The CEPA is expected to push non-oil trade to over USD 8 billion by 2032.
Key features of the agreement include:
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Full tariff elimination on goods traded between the two countries—covering over 99.5% of UAE exports to Jordan—excluding items restricted for health, religious, or security reasons.
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Preferential treatment for goods from free zones, provided they meet CEPA’s rules of origin—addressing a long-standing gap under GAFTA.
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Streamlined customs and trade procedures, with commitments to faster clearances, risk-based inspections, and mutual recognition of trusted traders.
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Expanded services access, including professional, financial, tourism, and transport sectors, and eased mobility for business visitors and intra-corporate transferees.
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Support for SMEs and digital trade, along with stronger cooperation on technical standards and intellectual property.
The CEPA builds upon existing regional frameworks like GAFTA, rather than replacing them, and introduces enhanced legal clarity and market access for UAE and Jordanian businesses.
Businesses, especially in free zones, are advised to review their origin compliance and documentation to maximize CEPA benefits.
Source : www.pwc.com
