The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and Vietnam enters into force
Abu Dhabi, February 3, 2017 / WAM / The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and Vietnam has officially entered into force, representing a significant expansion and strengthening of trade and investment relations between the two countries.
This agreement will contribute to removing trade barriers, reducing customs duties, and establishing a solid framework for improving economic cooperation in various sectors.
Vietnam, with an export-based economy, is the UAE’s largest trading partner in the Organization of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), where the volume of non-oil bilateral trade grew by 4% in 2024 to reach $12.6 billion.
In 2025, trade volume exceeded $16.05 billion, registering a significant increase of 27.4% compared to 2024.
After the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement officially enters into force, bilateral trade is expected to witness further growth, as the benefits of the agreement will contribute to improving market access and provide opportunities to enhance cooperation in the private sector.
His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, said that the start of implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and Vietnam represents an important step towards strengthening our economic partnership, and opens new horizons for cooperation and sustainable growth.
He added that the benefits of this agreement are not only limited to strengthening trade relations, but also extend to providing investment opportunities in vital sectors such as renewable energy, technology and agriculture.
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement eliminates or significantly reduces customs duties on more than 90% of the UAE’s exports to Vietnam, which cover 99% of the total value of these exports.
Likewise, Vietnam, known for its dynamic, fast-growing economy, will benefit from reducing customs duties on 95% of its product categories, representing 99% of current imports to the UAE market originating from Vietnam, which will significantly enhance trade flows and economic interaction.
As part of the UAE’s drive towards greater openness to the world, stimulating its foreign trade and its continued commitment to expanding its global trade network, the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Vietnam, the main player in the ASEAN region, is an essential element in achieving the UAE’s goal of having the value of non-oil trade reach 4 trillion dirhams (about 1.1 trillion dollars) by 2031.
Since its launch in September 2021, the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements Program has succeeded in reaching agreements with more than 30 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas, of which with this agreement 15 agreements will have already entered into force so far, strengthening trade relations and facilitating the access of UAE companies to markets that include approximately a quarter of the world’s population.
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