The UAE-India Business Council – UAE Chapter (UIBC-UC) has released a major new research initiative titled “Strength in Synergy: Unlocking India-UAE CEPA Global Potential.” The study was launched at a high-level meeting in Dubai, attended by top officials, including India’s Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, and the UAE’s Minister of Foreign Trade, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi.
The meeting and the new report focused on the transformative impact of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has been a powerful catalyst for growth. In the first half of 2025 alone, non-oil bilateral trade reached a record US$37.6 billion, marking a 33.9% increase over the previous year. Beyond trade volumes, CEPA has driven significant diversification in sectors like gems and jewelry, food processing, green energy, and digital services.
The agreement has also expanded into new strategic areas such as artificial intelligence, space technology, and financial integration, with Indian states increasingly leveraging the pact to attract investment and accelerate exports.
The new report serves as a follow-up to the UIBC-UC’s 2023 publication, delving deeper into CEPA’s post-signing impact and offering a roadmap for policymakers and investors. “CEPA is no longer just a trade pact, it’s a blueprint for the future,” said Faizal Kottikollon, Chairman of UIBC-UC. The study underscores how the partnership can evolve into a global model for resilient, innovation-led cooperation.
With both India and the UAE playing key roles in international groups like the BRICS, G20, and the IMEEC corridor, the report highlights the unique position of the CEPA partnership to influence global trade governance and sustainable development. It advocates for deepened cooperation in clean energy, education, digital integration, and human capital development, reinforcing a shared vision for global leadership.
–Input WAM
