The Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the Agreement Between Australia and The United Arab Emirates on the Promotion and Protection of Investments (Investment Agreement) entered into force on 1 October 2025 - UAE trade agreement to come into effect.
CEPA negotiations commencement on 13 December 2023 and concluded negotiations on 17 September 2024. The agreements were signed by Minister Farrell on 6 November 2024
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is Australia's largest trade and investment partner in the Middle East. In 2024 our two-way trade with UAE was worth $12.3 billion and two-way investment stock worth $23.7 billion.
CEPA is our first free trade agreement in the Middle East region, delivering on the Government’s commitment to open new opportunities for trade diversification. Tariffs are eliminated on over 99 percent of Australia’s exports to the UAE including alumina, frozen red meat and oil seeds.
The deal unlocks new opportunities and provides greater certainty for Australian service providers exporting to the UAE, including in sectors such as education, professional services and financial services.
CEPA is Australia’s first ever FTA to include a chapter on First Nations trade and investment encouraging cooperation between our two countries. This recognises the unique and important contribution that First Nations people and businesses make to international trade and investment.