The United Arab Emirates and Japan have concluded negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a move expected to strengthen trade, investment and economic cooperation between the two countries.
The announcement came during the official visit to Japan by Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and the country’s special envoy to Japan. He was accompanied by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade. The development was confirmed during a meeting with Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.
Officials said the agreement is designed to deepen economic ties and create new opportunities for businesses in both countries. The CEPA will focus on sectors including research and development, innovation, smart mobility, energy security, financial services and digital transformation.
These areas reflect the UAE’s strategy to build a knowledge-driven and innovation-based economy while supporting the priorities outlined in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework signed by the two nations in 2022.
Dr. Al Jaber said the agreement will strengthen cooperation in advanced industries and technology while supporting resilient supply chains. He noted that the partnership will give companies from both countries greater opportunities to expand investment and collaborate on innovation.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi described the completion of negotiations as a major milestone in UAE-Japan relations. Japan is one of the world’s largest economies and a member of the Group of Seven (G7), making it an important economic partner for the UAE.
“By removing trade barriers and facilitating increased investment flows, this CEPA will unlock new avenues for our private sectors,” Al Zeyoudi said. He added that the agreement is expected to encourage long-term partnerships between companies in both countries and support shared sustainability goals.
Trade between the UAE and Japan has already been growing steadily in recent years. Non-oil trade reached $20.3 billion in 2025, marking a 16.7 percent increase compared with 2024. The UAE has become Japan’s largest trading partner in the Middle East and Africa, accounting for about 39 percent of Japan’s total trade with Arab and African nations.
Officials said the new agreement is expected to accelerate that growth by making it easier for companies to operate across both markets and expand cooperation in key industries.
The CEPA with Japan is part of a broader effort by the UAE to build stronger economic links with major global markets. Since launching its CEPA programme in September 2021, the UAE has reached agreements with more than 35 high-growth economies.
These partnerships are designed to improve access to international markets that together represent nearly a quarter of the world’s population, supporting the UAE’s long-term strategy of expanding trade and diversifying its economy beyond oil.
