UAE and Thailand conclude CEPA negotiations as non-oil trade rises 75%
In short
The United Arab Emirates and Thailand have concluded negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), announced in Bangkok on 8 October 2026 at a meeting between UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Bilateral non-oil trade reached $10.2 billion in the first half of 2026, up 75.4 percent year on year, according to reports. The two countries will now finalise the legal and technical procedures needed to sign and implement the agreement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade said.
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The United Arab Emirates and Thailand have concluded negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported on 8 October 2026. The conclusion was announced in Bangkok during a meeting between Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade; Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister of Thailand; and Suphajee Suthumpun, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, in the presence of Obaid Saeed Al Dhaheri, the UAE Ambassador to Thailand. The two sides discussed ways to strengthen trade and investment ties and to deepen partnerships between their business communities, WAM reported. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 6 ]
In the coming phase, the two countries will finalise the legal and technical procedures required for the agreement to be signed and implemented, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade said in a statement reported by The National. Economy Middle East reported that the agreement is expected to reduce trade barriers, improve market access and support investment flows once it is formally signed, ratified and enters into force. According to The National, it is expected to strengthen private sector co-operation in priority sectors including advanced manufacturing, logistics, food security, digital trade, renewable energy and precious metals. [ 3 , 4 ]
Al Zeyoudi said the conclusion of negotiations "embodies our shared commitment to building stronger economic bridges between Southeast Asia and the Middle East" and that the agreement "will open new avenues for companies, investors and entrepreneurs in both countries." He said the CEPA would also reinforce the UAE's position as a hub for trade and investment connecting markets across Asia, Africa and Europe. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul emphasised the importance of the agreement in elevating economic and trade relations between the two countries to new levels, WAM reported. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The announcement follows rapid growth in bilateral trade. Non-oil trade between the UAE and Thailand reached $10.2 billion in the first half of 2026, up 75.4 percent year on year, according to Economy Middle East, after reaching $12.3 billion in 2025, a rise of 65.2 percent. Economy Middle East reported that UAE non-oil exports to Thailand were $4.5 billion in 2025, supported by gold, aluminium products and other industrial goods, while imports from Thailand totalled $7.2 billion. "These figures reflect the growing integration of the two economies and the scale of opportunity the agreement can unlock," the ministry said, according to The National. [ 3 , 4 ]
The countries began talks on the deal in 2023 and launched a joint business council the same year, The National reported. [ 4 ]
Why it matters
The agreement is expected to reduce trade barriers, improve market access and support investment flows once it is signed, ratified and enters into force, according to Economy Middle East. The National reported it is expected to strengthen private sector co-operation in sectors including advanced manufacturing, logistics, food security, digital trade, renewable energy and precious metals. Al Zeyoudi said it would reinforce the UAE's position as a hub for trade and investment connecting Asia, Africa and Europe.
Key facts
- The UAE and Thailand have concluded negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- The conclusion was announced in Bangkok at a meeting between UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Suphajee Suthumpun. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 6 ]
- UAE-Thailand non-oil trade reached $10.2 billion in the first half of 2026, up 75.4 percent year on year. [ 3 , 4 , 7 ]
- Non-oil trade reached $12.3 billion in 2025, up 65.2 percent from the previous year. [ 3 , 4 ]
- The two countries began talks on the deal in 2023 and launched a joint business council the same year. [ 4 ]
- In the coming phase, the two sides will finalise the legal and technical procedures required for the agreement to be signed and implemented, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade said. [ 4 ]
- The UAE's key non-oil exports to Thailand include gold, aluminium and other industrial goods. [ 3 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The UAE and Thailand concluded negotiations on a CEPA, announced in Bangkok. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 6 ]
- Al Zeyoudi, Anutin Charnvirakul and Suphajee Suthumpun took part in the meeting at which the conclusion was announced, in the presence of UAE Ambassador to Thailand Obaid Saeed Al Dhaheri. [ 1 , 2 , 6 ]
- Bilateral non-oil trade was $10.2 billion in the first half of 2026, up more than 75 percent year on year. [ 3 , 4 , 7 ]
- Bilateral non-oil trade was $12.3 billion in 2025, up more than 65 percent. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Al Zeyoudi said the agreement embodies a shared commitment to building stronger economic bridges between Southeast Asia and the Middle East. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- When the agreement will be signed and enter into force. The documents say legal and technical procedures still have to be finalised and the agreement must be signed and ratified, but give no dates.
- The specific tariff cuts and market access terms of the agreement. No document gives details of the agreement's terms.
- UAE non-oil exports to Thailand were $4.5 billion in 2025 and imports from Thailand $7.2 billion. Reported only by Economy Middle East.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- The Emirates News Agency reports that the UAE and Thailand have concluded CEPA negotiations. [ 1 ]
- Economy Middle East reports the conclusion alongside figures showing non-oil trade up 75.4 percent in the first half of 2026. [ 3 ]
- The National reports the Ministry of Foreign Trade statement on the next phase of legal and technical procedures. [ 4 ]