UAE-Belarus Trade in Services and Investment Agreement Enters Into Force
A landmark bilateral accord enhancing market access and investor protections comes into effect, strengthening economic ties between the two nations.
The Trade in Services and Investment Agreement (TISIA) between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Belarus officially entered into force on Wednesday, 7th October 2026, inaugurating a significant new chapter in bilateral economic relations. The accord represents a decisive commitment to deepening commercial partnerships across both nations.
Originally signed in Minsk on 27th June 2025, the TISIA establishes a comprehensive bilateral framework specifically addressing services and investment matters. This instrument complements the existing Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which operates at the regional level governing trade in goods. Together, these agreements create an expansive architecture facilitating the seamless movement of goods, services and capital between the two countries.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, emphasised the strategic importance of the agreement’s activation. He noted that the TISIA creates a more predictable operating environment for services trade and investment, whilst opening pathways for private-sector collaboration in high-growth sectors. Belarus’s significant position within the Eurasian Economic Union positions it as a valuable gateway for UAE enterprises seeking regional expansion, with opportunities particularly pronounced in financial services, professional consulting, education, healthcare, technology and logistics.
The agreement functions principally to reduce market-entry barriers, facilitate investment flows and encourage joint ventures across sectors of mutual benefit. By establishing clearer operational rules and providing greater certainty for businesses and investors, the TISIA strengthens confidence in cross-border commercial activity.
The accord enters into force atop an already substantial bilateral trading foundation. Non-oil trade between the UAE and Belarus attained US$316.4 million during 2025, comprising re-exports valued at US$268 million, imports from Belarus reaching US$45.3 million and UAE non-oil exports totalling US$3 million. Momentum has accelerated notably in 2026, with bilateral non-oil trade reaching US$67.4 million in the opening half-year, whilst UAE non-oil exports surged to US$4.2 million—representing an impressive 202.4 per cent increase against the corresponding 2025 period.
Source: WAM