Trade between the United Arab Emirates and India has risen sharply since the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement came into force in 2022, according to officials and business representatives in Dubai…reports Asian Lite News desk
The total volume of bilateral trade between the United Arab Emirates and India has increased by 37 per cent since the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), according to business leaders in Dubai.
The figures were outlined by Sahitya Chaturvedi, Secretary-General of the Indian Business and Professional Council in Dubai, during an event marking the fourth anniversary of the agreement entering into force.
According to Chaturvedi, UAE exports to India increased by 41 per cent during the period, while Indian exports to the UAE rose by 30 per cent. Both countries continue to work towards a longer-term target of increasing bilateral trade to US$200 billion.
The agreement, which came into force in 2022, was designed to strengthen trade and investment links between the two countries by reducing tariffs, simplifying customs procedures and encouraging cooperation across a range of sectors.
Officials said accelerated growth had been recorded in exports of pearls, precious metals, jewellery, machinery, electrical equipment, fuel, mineral oils and aircraft spare parts.
Business and government representatives gathered in Dubai to review the impact of the agreement and discuss future opportunities for cooperation. The event brought together representatives from government bodies, diplomatic missions, chambers of commerce, companies and investment groups.
Ahmed Aljneibi, Director of the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Council, said the partnership had expanded beyond trade facilitation into broader areas of economic cooperation.
He stated that the agreement had reached “deeper levels of economic integration based on innovation, entrepreneurship and talent mobility” and pointed to the growing role of start-ups in strengthening bilateral relations.
Discussions at the event focused on a wide range of sectors expected to contribute to future growth between the two countries. These included pharmaceuticals, digital trade, logistics, manufacturing, financial technology, healthcare, aviation, innovation and international investment.
Participants also discussed opportunities linked to clean energy, the digital economy, agricultural technology and infrastructure development.
Several of the discussions were tied to Dubai Economic Agenda D33, a 10-year strategy aimed at placing Dubai among the world’s top three destinations for tourism and business by 2033.
The UAE and India have steadily expanded economic ties in recent years, supported by growing investment flows, business partnerships and an increasing presence of Indian companies and professionals in the Gulf state.
India remains one of the UAE’s largest trading partners, while the UAE is among India’s key export markets and investment destinations in the Middle East.
Officials from both sides have repeatedly highlighted the role of the CEPA agreement in supporting economic diversification and strengthening supply chains between the two economies.
The agreement is also seen as part of a broader push by the UAE to deepen economic partnerships with major global markets through trade agreements and investment initiatives.
Business leaders attending the Dubai event said the next stage of cooperation would likely focus on technology-driven sectors and innovation-led growth, alongside traditional trade industries.
The discussions reflected a broader effort by both countries to expand cooperation beyond goods trade and into services, digital commerce and long-term investment partnerships.
While the US$200 billion bilateral trade target remains a longer-term ambition, officials and industry representatives said the growth recorded since 2022 demonstrated continued momentum in the relationship between the UAE and India.
