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Press Release

One Year of India - UAE CEPA commemorated in Dubai

Feb 18, 2023

DUBAI, 18 February 2023: Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi in association with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), Consulate General of India, Dubai, and Dubai Chambers organized a 'Special Business Event' in Dubai to commemorate the successful year of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signing. More than 200 leading businesses from India and the UAE attended the event.

Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, while addressing the special business event talked about the enormous opportunities and benefits provided by CEPA.

Mr Sunjay Sudhir, Indian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates mentioned that businesses from India and the United Arab Emirates have already begun taking advantage of the duty waivers and enhanced market access provided by the CEPA.

Mr Chandu Siroya Vice Chairman, Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group noted that the enthusiasm shown by the two government in setting up the CEPA has opened the doors wider for the Gold and Jewellery Industry.

On the occasion a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Saifee Rupawala CEO of LULU Group International   and FICCI.

The historical India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was signed on 18th February 2022 during the Virtual Summit in the presence of Shri Narendra Modi, Hon'ble Prime Minister of India and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates.

The historical India-UAE CEPA is the first bilateral trade accord concluded by UAE and India's first bilateral trade agreement in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region. India-UAE CEPA is a wide-ranging agreement, covering all aspects of India's economic engagement with the UAE including Trade, Investments, Healthcare, Digital Trade, Government Procurement, IPR etc. CEPA has unleashed new opportunities in bilateral trade, and it is expected to increase the bilateral trade in goods to US$ 100 bn within five years and trade in services to US $ 15 bn.

The CEPA entered into force on 1st May 2022. The agreement has been operating smoothly for over 10 months now. The businesses from both nations have already started leveraging upon the tremendous potential offered under the CEPA.  

The impressive overall growth in bilateral trade is a true reflection of the early gains accruing from the agreement. During the first eight months from April-November 2022 of the current financial year, the bilateral trade between our two countries has grown to US$ 57.8 bn from US $ 45.3 bn same period last year, recording an impressive growth of 27.5 % in percentage terms and a notable increase of US $ 12.5 bn in value terms.

During the same period, India's exports to the UAE have seen a remarkable growth of 19.32%, reaching US $ 20.8 bn from US $ 17.45 bn, an increase of US $ 3.35 bn in value terms. Besides, several other significant partnerships have been launched since May 2022 related to energy, food security, education and healthcare.

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