The UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the Republic of Korea has entered its final stages and is expected to enter into force by the end of 2025, according to Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade.
Speaking on the sidelines of the UAE-Korea business roundtable in Abu Dhabi, he said the agreement will mark a major step forward in strengthening trade, investment and economic cooperation between the two nations.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi said the CEPA will enhance and diversify bilateral trade through substantial tariff elimination or reduction, the removal of non-tariff barriers, and support for trade in goods and services, while facilitating investment flows between the two countries.
UAE and Korea trade
He added that the UAE and the Republic of Korea share a unified vision for driving sustainable growth through trade, investment and economic diversification, noting that the agreement will elevate cooperation to new levels of partnership and economic integration.
He noted that the visit of Lee Jae Myung, President of the Republic of Korea, to the UAE carries a clear message reflecting the strategic importance Korea places on the UAE.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi said several memoranda of understanding and agreements have been signed between the UAE and the Republic of Korea in the sectors of food, cosmetics, finance, energy, investment in artificial intelligence within the peaceful nuclear energy sector, and petroleum, reflecting the diversity of investment opportunities available between both countries.
He added that the roundtable saw wide participation from the UAE private sector, with more than 25 companies representing several vital sectors taking part to explore prospects for future trade and investment cooperation between the two business communities.
The Minister of Foreign Trade said that non-oil trade between the UAE and Korea reached $6.6bn in 2024, growing by more than 11 per cent, while trade amounted to $3.1bn during the first half of 2025, reflecting the strength and continued growth of economic relations between the two countries.
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