ABU DHABI, sixth March, 2026 (WAM) — The United Arab Emirates and Japan have agreed on the ultimate provisions of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the primary of its variety for Japan with an Arab nation, aimed toward additional deepening commerce and funding relations between the 2 pleasant nations to new horizons of mutually helpful financial progress.
The announcement was made throughout the official go to to Japan by Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Japan, accompanied by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, throughout a gathering with Toshimitsu Motegi, Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The settlement displays the shared dedication of the UAE and Japan to additional strengthen their longstanding strategic relations throughout all areas, significantly commerce and funding ties.
It represents an essential milestone within the trajectory of bilateral relations and is anticipated to boost commerce and funding flows whereas increasing personal sector cooperation in precedence sectors together with superior expertise, logistics, cybersecurity, healthcare, and training.
The CEPA can even open new alternatives for partnership in analysis and growth, innovation, good mobility, and power safety, in addition to monetary providers and digital transformation. These areas align with the UAE’s imaginative and prescient to construct a information and innovation-based economic system and assist the priorities of each nations beneath the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework signed in 2022.
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber mentioned, “The successful conclusion of negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and Japan reflects the leadership’s vision to strengthen economic and trade relations with Japan and underscores the depth of the strategic partnership between our two countries. It also highlights our shared commitment to promoting innovation, industrial development, and sustainable economic growth.”
Dr. Al Jaber added, “The agreement will open new avenues for cooperation in advanced industries, technology, and resilient supply chains, providing greater opportunities for both our private sectors to boost investment and innovation. By strengthening economic integration between our two nations, the agreement will support the development of future reinforce advanced, competitive economies.”
Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi recommended the profitable conclusion of negotiations, stating, “The positive outcomes of our CEPA negotiations with Japan, one of the world’s largest economies and a key member of the G7, are a significant step forward in enhancing UAE-Japan relations. By removing trade barriers and facilitating increased investment flows, this CEPA will unlock new avenues for our private sectors, fostering lasting partnerships that benefit both countries and contribute to our sustainability goals and shared prosperity.”
The profitable conclusion of CEPA negotiations comes on the heels of flourishing commerce relations, with non-oil commerce between the UAE and Japan reaching $20.3 billion in 2025, rising by 16.7 p.c in comparison with 2024.
The UAE has established itself as Japan’s prime buying and selling accomplice throughout the Middle East and Africa, accounting for 39 p.c of Japan’s complete commerce with Arab and African nations.
The UAE’s CEPA programme is central to its international commerce technique. Since the programme’s launch in September 2021, the UAE has concluded agreements with greater than 35 high-growth economies, enhancing entry to markets representing practically 1 / 4 of the world’s inhabitants.