The UAE and the Central African Republic (CAR) have signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investment, with projections to increase trade beyond AED3.67 billion over the next five to seven years. The agreement reflects the UAE’s ongoing commitment to enhancing global trade relations through economic diversification and sustainable development, in line with its broader economic strategy.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, emphasized that the CEPA will create new opportunities for business communities in both countries, facilitating further economic growth and prosperity. He noted that non-oil trade between the two nations reached over AED925 million in 2024, underscoring the rapid expansion of bilateral trade.
The agreement includes a significant tariff reduction, with the UAE offering a 98% tariff removal on goods from the Central African Republic, while CAR extends a 99.5% tariff removal on UAE exports. This liberalization of trade will open doors for Emirati exporters to explore and expand within the African market.
The CEPA also highlights extensive investment opportunities in various service sectors, including telecommunications, hospitality, logistics, and financial technology, as well as in strategic industries such as aluminium, ceramics, petrochemicals, iron, silver, gold, food products, and textiles.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi further emphasized that the agreement lays the foundation for advancing collaboration in digital economy and advanced technology sectors, while also fostering new opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in both countries. The CEPA aims to promote integrated investment projects, accelerating growth in priority sectors, creating job opportunities, and enhancing supply chains.
This partnership is poised to strengthen UAE-CAR trade relations, expand the UAE’s global trade network into new markets, and generate mutual benefits for both nations.
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