The United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Türkiye have continued to strengthen their strategic partnership in trade and investment.
The cooperation between the business communities of both countries has expanded under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which entered into force on 1 September 2023.
The agreement has supported efforts by both countries to deepen economic cooperation across a range of sectors.
During a visit to Istanbul, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, met with ministers and senior Turkish government officials and participated in the UAE-Türkiye Business Forum, where he addressed business leaders from both countries.
Al Zeyoudi also attended the third annual meeting of the UAE-Türkiye Business Council following its restructuring.
The UAE’s non-oil foreign trade with Türkiye exceeded $45.2 billion in 2025, recording annual growth of 15.5 percent compared to 2024.
Image via WAM | Cropped by GBN
Officials said that the CEPA has supported the continued expansion of trade and investment relations between the two countries and helped bilateral non-oil trade exceed initial projections set following the signing and implementation of the agreement.
Al Zeyoudi also held talks with Mustafa Tuzcu, Deputy Minister of Trade of Türkiye, to discuss ways to maximize the benefits of the CEPA. Discussions focused on expanding trade cooperation, increasing investment opportunities, and identifying additional areas for collaboration between the two countries.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi UAE Minister of Foreign Trade
“The UAE and Türkiye share a strong and growing relationship built on mutual respect and the achievement of shared objectives. The results of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the two friendly countries clearly reflect this, with non-oil trade between the two countries nearly tripling compared to 2022, before the agreement was signed and entered into force in 2023. The UAE is committed to ensuring that the next chapter of our strategic partnership with Türkiye is more ambitious and innovative and that together we continue achieving our shared trade and investment objectives.”
The UAE delegation participating in the forum included business leaders and representatives of Emirati companies operating in sectors including logistics, trade and investment, energy and renewable energy, technology and artificial intelligence, agriculture and food security, financial services, aviation, and healthcare.
The UAE-Türkiye Business Forum also witnessed the signing of two memoranda of understanding (MoU’s) aimed at strengthening cooperation and supporting new partnerships between business communities in both countries.
The UAE-Türkiye CEPA was among the first agreements signed under the UAE’s national agenda to enhance foreign trade and investment flows, strengthen supply chain resilience, and create opportunities for the private sector.
