Since the launch of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in September 2021, the UAE has signed deals with over 35 high-growth economies.
The UAE and Japan have agreed to sign a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), marking Japan’s first such deal with an Arab country.
The announcement came during the official visit to Japan by Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, the UAE’s special envoy to Japan, who was accompanied by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi. The UAE delegation met with Toshimitsu Motegi to formalize the agreement.
The CEPA is expected to create new opportunities for collaboration in research and development, innovation, smart mobility, energy security, financial services, and digital transformation.
These focus areas align with the UAE’s goal of fostering a knowledge- and innovation-driven economy and reinforce the priorities of both nations under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework signed in 2022.
Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber stated that the agreement will open new avenues for cooperation in advanced industries, technology, and resilient supply chains, offering greater opportunities for private sectors to enhance investment and innovation.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi highlighted that the positive outcomes of CEPA negotiations with Japan, one of the world’s largest economies and a key G7 member, represent a major step in strengthening UAE-Japan relations.
“By removing trade barriers and facilitating increased investment flows, this CEPA will unlock new opportunities for our private sectors, fostering lasting partnerships that benefit both countries and support our sustainability goals and shared prosperity,” he added.
The successful conclusion of CEPA negotiations follows flourishing trade relations, with non-oil trade between the UAE and Japan reaching $20.3 billion in 2025, up 16.7% from 2024. The UAE has become Japan’s top trading partner in the Middle East and Africa, accounting for 39% of Japan’s total trade with Arab and African nations.
Since the launch of the programme in September 2021, the UAE has signed agreements with over 35 high-growth economies, expanding access to markets representing nearly a quarter of the global population.
