The UAE and Ukraine have signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in a significant advancement in the two nations' economic ties, coming into force from July 1.
The agreement aims to create new opportunities for trade, investment and private sector collaboration, strengthening the UAE's relationship with a key European market and reinforcing its role as a global trade hub.
The CEPA will eliminate or reduce tariffs on a wide range of goods and services, facilitating easier market access and broader global outreach.
It is also expected to bolster private-sector collaboration, empowering businesses and entrepreneurs in both countries to expand their operations internationally.
Under the agreement, 99 percent of Ukrainian imports of UAE goods and 97 per cent of Ukrainian exports to the UAE will be exempt from customs duties with immediate effect.
The agreement is forecast to contribute $369 million to the UAE’s gross domestic product (GDP) and $874 million to Ukraine’s GDP by 2031.
In 2025, non-oil foreign trade between the UAE and Ukraine reached $346.8 million. The CEPA aims to revitalise non-oil trade which reached a peak of $904.4 million in 2021, demonstrating the potential for growth that the new agreement can unlock.
The UAE has concluded 37 CEPAs to date, 17 of which have come into force, and view this latest agreement as a vital addition to its strategy of enhancing economic relationships worldwide.
UAE-Ukraine CEPA officially enters into force on July 1#WamNews https://t.co/ZDGkefPTVY pic.twitter.com/dPzxKwDVOQ
— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) June 30, 2026
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