- Bilateral non-oil trade between the UAE and Thailand reached US$12.3 billion in 2025, a 65.2% year-on-year increase, and US$10.2 billion in the first half of 2026, up 75.4%.
- HE Al Zeyoudi: “The conclusion of negotiations on the UAE-Thailand CEPA embodies our shared commitment to building stronger economic bridges between Southeast Asia and the Middle East.”
- HE Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister of Thailand, said that the CEPA will elevate trade and investment relations with the UAE to new levels.
Bangkok, Thailand – October 2026: The United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Thailand have successfully concluded negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations and paving the way for a new phase of trade and investment cooperation between two of the most dynamic economies in their respective regions.
The conclusion of negotiations was announced in Bangkok during a meeting between His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade; His Excellency Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand; and Her Excellency Suphajee Suthumpun, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of the Kingdom of Thailand in the presence of His Excellency Obaid Saeed Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand. The two sides discussed ways to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties, and reviewed opportunities to expand cooperation and deepen partnerships between the business communities of both nations.
HE Al Zeyoudi said: “The conclusion of negotiations on the UAE-Thailand CEPA embodies our shared commitment to building stronger economic bridges between Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Thailand is one of the most dynamic and diversified economies in the region, and this agreement will open new avenues for companies, investors and entrepreneurs in both countries to expand and access high-growth markets.”
He added: “By reducing trade barriers, enhancing market access and stimulating investment flows, the CEPA will support our long-term economic objectives and generate new opportunities across a wide range of strategic sectors. It will also reinforce the UAE’s position as a leading global hub for trade and investment, connecting markets across Asia, Africa and Europe.”
For his part, HE PM Anutin Charnvirakul emphasised the importance of the CEPA in elevating economic and trade relations between Thailand and the UAE to new levels, noting that the successful conclusion of negotiations reflects the commitment of both countries to continue working together and to expand cooperation for mutual benefit. He affirmed that the agreement will create new opportunities for the private sector and business communities in both countries, strengthen partnerships and two-way investment, and support economic growth, while enhancing the competitiveness of Emirati and Thai companies in each other’s markets and across the wider region.
During the visit, HE Al Zeyoudi held a series of meetings with leading Thai companies and institutions operating across the trade, investment, industrial and services sectors. Discussions focused on strengthening partnerships and two-way investment, capitalising on the opportunities the CEPA will create, and expanding the presence of Emirati and Thai companies in each other’s markets, supporting the development of supply chains, increasing trade and investment flows, and creating new growth opportunities for the private sector.
Once signed, ratified and entered into force, the UAE-Thailand CEPA is expected to accelerate trade flows, unlock new investment opportunities and strengthen private sector cooperation in priority sectors including advanced manufacturing, logistics, food security, digital trade, renewable energy and precious metals.
The conclusion of negotiations comes amid strong momentum in bilateral trade. Non-oil trade between the UAE and Thailand reached US$12.3 billion in 2025, a 65.2% increase on 2024, and continued its upward trajectory in the first half of 2026, reaching US$10.2 billion, up 75.4% on the same period of 2025. UAE non-oil exports to Thailand rose to US$4.5 billion in 2025, driven by strong growth in gold, aluminium products and other industrial goods, while imports from Thailand reached US$7.2 billion. These figures reflect the growing integration of the two economies and the scale of opportunity the agreement can unlock.
Negotiations on the UAE-Thailand CEPA were launched in May 2023, building on the establishment of the first UAE-Thai Business Council in February 2023. In the coming phase, both sides will finalise the legal and technical procedures required for the official signing and entry into force of the agreement, which is expected to deliver a more stable and attractive business environment and create new opportunities for companies and consumers in both countries.
