Trade talks with Japan are in final stages, says UAE minister

• UAE-Japan talks began in 2024
• Deal with the EU is also progressing
• UAE has made 32 Cepas

The comprehensive economic partnership agreement with Japan has reached its final stages, the UAE’s minister of foreign trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi has said.

Negotiations with the European Union are also progressing positively, he said.

The first round of negotiations on the UAE-Japan and UAE-EU free trade talks began in September 2024 and June 2025 respectively.

Talks with Ecuador are also making tangible progress, the Wam news agency quoted Al Zeyoudi as saying.

The UAE has concluded 32 Cepas, including with India, Malaysia, Angola, Ukraine, New Zealand and the Philippines, with 14 already in force.

The emirates’ non-oil foreign trade was AED3.8 trillion in 2025 according to Al Zeyoudi, which represents growth of 26 percent.

He added that the UAE’s non-oil exports grew by more than 45 percent, exceeding the country’s 2031 targets to reach AED813 billion.

Al Zeyoudi said that countries covered by Cepas played a pivotal role in this growth. Trade with India increased by more than 15 percent, Turkey by over 15 percent, Chile by 85 percent, Jordan by more than 37 percent, Australia by around 37 percent, Malaysia by 22 percent and Indonesia by 12 percent.

The minister said that the UAE will continue to expand trade partnerships with several countries, particularly in Asia and Africa, to support the sustainable development of the national economy.

Further reading:

• UAE says trade talks with Japan and EU making progress
• EU free trade talks advancing rapidly, UAE minister says
• UAE and Japan to begin talks on trade agreement