UAE and Thailand Conclude Historic CEPA Negotiations, Unlocking New Trade Frontiers
The United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Thailand have successfully completed negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, representing a transformative milestone in bilateral economic relations and signalling a new era of enhanced cooperation between two thriving regional economies.
The successful conclusion of CEPA negotiations was announced in Bangkok during a high-level meeting convening Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade; Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand; and Suphajee Suthumpun, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of the Kingdom of Thailand. Obaid Saeed Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand, was present throughout the discussions.
The two delegations explored avenues for strengthening bilateral trade and investment partnerships, examining opportunities to expand cooperation and deepen engagement between the business communities of both nations.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi remarked, “The conclusion of negotiations on the UAE-Thailand CEPA embodies our shared commitment to building stronger economic bridges between Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Thailand is one of the most dynamic and diversified economies in the region, and this agreement will open new avenues for companies, investors and entrepreneurs in both countries to expand and access high-growth markets.”
He elaborated on the agreement’s broader implications: “By reducing trade barriers, enhancing market access and stimulating investment flows, the CEPA will support our long-term economic objectives and generate new opportunities across a wide range of strategic sectors. It will also reinforce the UAE’s position as a leading global hub for trade and investment, connecting markets across Asia, Africa and Europe.”
Prime Minister Charnvirakul underscored the accord’s significance in elevating bilateral relations, characterising the successful completion of negotiations as a testament to both nations’ dedication to sustained collaboration. He affirmed that the agreement will catalyse fresh opportunities for the private sector whilst strengthening reciprocal investment flows and supporting economic expansion across both economies.
During his visit, Dr. Al Zeyoudi engaged with prominent Thai enterprises and institutions spanning the trade, investment, industrial and services sectors. These discussions concentrated on fortifying partnerships, capitalising upon forthcoming CEPA opportunities, and broadening the footprint of Emirati and Thai companies across both markets.
Trade Momentum and Projected Impact
The agreement arrives amid robust bilateral trade performance. Non-oil trade between the UAE and Thailand reached US$12.3 billion in 2025—a 65.2 percent increase from 2024—and accelerated further in the first half of 2026, achieving US$10.2 billion, representing a 75.4 percent year-on-year rise. UAE non-oil exports to Thailand climbed to US$4.5 billion in 2025, propelled by gold, aluminium products and industrial goods, whilst Thai imports reached US$7.2 billion.
Once formally signed, ratified and operationalised, the UAE-Thailand CEPA is anticipated to expedite trade flows and unlock investment opportunities across priority sectors including advanced manufacturing, logistics, food security, digital trade, renewable energy and precious metals.
Both nations will now proceed with finalising the requisite legal and technical procedures for official signing and implementation. The CEPA programme forms a cornerstone of the UAE’s foreign trade agenda, which targets non-oil foreign trade of $1.1 trillion (AED4 trillion) by 2031. Since its launch in September 2021, the programme has expanded the UAE’s trade partnership network across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas, reflecting its commitment to open, rules-based commerce as a catalyst for growth and diversification.
Source: WAM