The UAE and Canada reached in record time the final terms of a comprehensive economic partnership agreement

The UAE and Canada announced the successful conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations between the two countries, in a step that reflects the growing momentum witnessed in bilateral relations and the shared vision to advance them to new heights of economic and investment cooperation.

The successful completion of negotiations and reaching the final terms of the agreement is a translation of the keenness of the leadership of the two countries to continue to advance friendly relations to new heights, which contributed to accelerating the pace of negotiations and completing them within record time, making it the fastest completion among the 38 agreements reached by the UAE under the umbrella of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements Programme, which was launched in September 2021.

The announcement of reaching the final terms of the agreement came during a meeting between the Minister of Foreign Trade, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, who is making an official visit at the head of an Emirati delegation that includes officials and business leaders to Toronto, with the Minister of International Trade of Canada, Maninder Sidhu.

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi said: “The successful conclusion of the comprehensive economic partnership agreement negotiations between the UAE and Canada embodies the depth of the strategic relations between the two friendly countries, and reflects the shared vision of their leadership in building a stronger, more flexible and sustainable economic partnership. It also confirms the ability of the UAE, under the guidance of its wise leadership, to translate strategic partnerships into tangible economic opportunities that support mutual growth and prosperity.”

He added: “The momentum provided by the high-level meetings between the leadership of the two countries contributed to accelerating the pace of negotiations and reaching this agreement in record time, making it the fastest completion within the UAE’s comprehensive economic partnership agreements program to date.”

He continued: “Through this agreement, we open new horizons for the business community in both countries, and enhance investment and cooperation opportunities in future sectors, including clean energy, advanced technology, data centers, food and agriculture, aviation, and vital minerals.”

Al-Zeyoudi pointed out that the agreement will represent an important platform to enhance private sector participation, expand mutual access to markets, support supply chains, and stimulate innovation, in a way that achieves long-term economic value for the two countries and enhances their position as global centers for trade and investment.

In turn, Maninder Sidhu said: “The successful conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations with the UAE, which began last month, represents the fastest trade negotiations Canada has ever completed, and constitutes an important milestone in the path of growing relations between our two countries. This agreement will open new horizons for Canadian companies to benefit from the UAE as a regional trade center to enhance their exports to global markets, in addition to encouraging Emirati investments in projects that support our long-term economic goals. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Canada and the UAE embodies the strength of the partnership that brings together Our two countries, which will yield sustainable benefits for companies, workers and communities in both countries.”

The agreement paves the way for a new phase of economic cooperation between the two countries by reducing customs duties, enhancing mutual access to markets, and providing qualitative opportunities for the private sector in a group of strategic and promising sectors, including aviation, food and agriculture, vital minerals, clean energy, and data centers, in a way that supports building a stronger, more flexible and sustainable economic partnership that serves the common interests of the two friendly countries.

The agreement works to improve the thriving non-oil trade between the UAE and Canada, which amounted to about $4.2 billion in 2025, with a growth of 21% compared to the previous year.

Under the agreement, customs duties will be reduced, and companies’ access to the markets of the two countries will be expanded. It is expected that the agreement, by enhancing cooperation in key sectors, including metal industries (aluminium and steel), aviation, aerospace, agri-food and seafood, will contribute to the flow of billions of dollars in investments into major projects, including ports, mines, liquefied natural gas facilities, data centers and essential minerals.

The two countries previously concluded an agreement to encourage and protect foreign investment, which contributed to building long-term partnerships between the industrial sectors of the two countries, attracted capital to major projects, and contributed to providing job opportunities.

The UAE’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements Program constitutes a fundamental pillar of its foreign trade strategy. It has witnessed the conclusion of agreements with 38 countries since its launch in September 2021.

By enhancing access to global markets and increasing trade and investment flows with high-growth economies, the UAE is taking strides towards achieving its goal of doubling the size of its economy to exceed $800 billion by 2031, after the total value of its trade reached $1 trillion, six years ahead of the target date.