Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zayoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, confirmed that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and South Korea has entered its final stages in preparation for its entry into force by the end of this year 2025.
This came in statements on the sidelines of the “UAE – Korea” business roundtable, which was launched on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi and focused on enhancing cooperation in various sectors.
Especially defense, energy, food and technology.
He explained that the agreement will contribute to strengthening and diversifying bilateral trade and economic relations by eliminating or significantly reducing customs duties and removing non-tariff barriers.
In addition to supporting trade in goods and services and facilitating investment flows between the two countries.
He added that the UAE and South Korea share a unified vision to drive sustainable growth through trade, investment and economic diversification.
He stressed that the agreement would contribute to strengthening cooperation relations between the two friendly countries to new levels of partnership and economic integration.
He pointed out that the visit of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung to the UAE, which is his first foreign visit, carries a clear message that reflects the strategic importance that Korea attaches to the UAE.
He explained that a number of memorandums of understanding and agreements were signed between the UAE and the Republic of Korea in the sectors of food, beauty products, finance, energy, and investment in artificial intelligence in the peaceful nuclear energy sector.
In addition to the petroleum sector, which reflects the diversity of investment opportunities available between the two countries.
He stressed that the volume of non-oil trade exchange between the UAE and Korea reached $6.6 billion in 2024, a growth of more than 11%.
Trade exchange recorded $3.1 billion during the first half of 2025.
Which reflects the strength and continued growth of economic relations between the two sides.
