
- Home
- Middle East
- UAE, Malaysia sign Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to deepen trade, investment ties
UAE, Malaysia Sign Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement To Deepen Trade, Investment Ties
Umer Jamshaid Published January 14, 2025 | 04:30 PM

ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 14th Jan, 2025) The United Arab Emirates and Malaysia have signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) during a ceremony witnessed by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Excellency Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia.
The agreement is designed to accelerate bilateral trade, promote private sector collaboration, and create new opportunities for investment in high-growth sectors.
The CEPA was signed at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) in the presence of both leaders by His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and His Excellency Tengku Zafrul Aziz, Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasised the significance of the agreement in strengthening the economies of both nations, noting that it is a pivotal milestone in UAE-Malaysia relations.
His Highness remarked that Malaysia, with its fast-growing economy and pro-trade policies, is a vital partner in Southeast Asia. His Highness noted that the agreement aims to deepen cooperation in key sectors, reinforce supply chains, unlock investment potential, and open new doors for the two countries’ private sectors to thrive together.
The UAE-Malaysia CEPA will reduce or eliminate tariffs on a wide range of goods, streamline trade procedures, and enhance market access for service exports. Malaysia, Southeast Asia’s fourth-largest economy, is already one of the UAE’s top trading partners in the ASEAN region, with non-oil bilateral trade reaching US$4.9 billion in 2023 and US$4 billion in the first nine months of 2024. The UAE is also Malaysia’s second-largest trade partner in the Arab world, accounting for 32% of Malaysia’s trade with Arab nations.
The agreement is projected to solidify the UAE as a strategic hub for Malaysian exports to the middle East, North Africa, and beyond while opening the ASEAN market to UAE investors and entrepreneurs.
The UAE’s CEPA programme is a cornerstone of its efforts to drive non-oil foreign trade to AED 4 trillion (US$1.1 trillion) by 2031 and foster international cooperation with strategic markets such as the ASEAN bloc, which boasts a GDP of more than US$2.9 trillion and a population of 647 million people.
With CEPAs already in force with Indonesia and Cambodia, the UAE is bolstering its ties to the region and consolidating its status as a global trade hub that connects high-growth economies and expands opportunities for the private sector across Asia.
Related Topics
Recent Stories

EAD issues regulations on administrative penalties to enhance proactive environm ..

Dominica draws inspiration from UAE's digital transformation: Prime Minister

Abdullah bin Zayed, Moldovan FM discuss bilateral relations

Sharjah Ruler issues law on natural resources companies’ tax

Dubai Chambers: UAE achieved remarkable growth in AI adoption within companies

Abdullah bin Zayed, UNESCO Director-General discuss bilateral cooperation

ADNOC Drilling reports record net profit of AED4.77 billion in 2024

WGS: UNESCO showcases power of multilateralism in restoring cultural heritage

WGS: Ray Dalio calls for immediate action to tackle debt to avoid destabilising ..

Sindh govt bans unregistered vehicles from roads in Karachi, other cities

Solomon Islands seeks to strengthen partnership with UAE in energy, trade

UAE condemns car-ramming attack in Munich
More Stories From Middle East
-
EAD issues regulations on administrative penalties to enhance proactive environmental protection
4 seconds ago -
Russian security forces eliminate terrorist cell in Northwest Russia
18 seconds ago -
Ministry of Finance committed to building strong partnerships, effective communication
21 seconds ago -
Dominica draws inspiration from UAE's digital transformation: Prime Minister
25 seconds ago -
WGS: UAE, Cyprus announce strategic partnership in digital transformation, AI
15 minutes ago -
XRANGE expands operations with new runway, advanced facilities, enhanced services
30 minutes ago
-
Abdullah bin Zayed, Moldovan FM discuss bilateral relations
30 minutes ago -
Zimbabwe committed to tackling climate challenges, achieving sustainable development: Minister
45 minutes ago -
UAE a key partner in South Africa's push to expand technology, innovation ties: Minister
46 minutes ago -
Sharjah Ruler issues law on natural resources companies’ tax
1 hour ago -
US Secretary of State to commence visit to Middle East on Saturday
1 hour ago -
Dubai Chambers: UAE achieved remarkable growth in AI adoption within companies
1 hour ago