The UAE and Australia have held their second Joint Economic Committee (JEC) in Dubai aiming enhancing mutual trade and investment opportunities that have been unlocked by the two nation’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
The UAE-Australia CEPA was signed in 2024 and entered into force in October last year. The meeting was co-chaired by Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, and Don Farrell, Australia’s Minister of Trade and Tourism.
From the UAE side, the Joint Economic Committee was attended by officials from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai, the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry, DMCC, Emirates Airline, Etihad Rail, Agthia, Union Export Credit Company, and Emirates Global Aluminium.
During the meeting, both sides agreed to review and update the direction of their partnership, identify the main obstacles to trade and investment, and develop solutions to address them. Their findings will be submitted for review and evaluation at the third meeting of the JEC, which will be scheduled in due course.
UAE-Australia trade ties
Non-oil trade between the UAE and Australia has seen significant growth in recent years, steadily increasing as both nations deepen their economic ties, reaching a total of $4.21 billion in 2024. This level was similar to that of 2023, representing a growth of 19 percent compared to 2021. Growth continued in the first nine months of 2025, with trade reaching $4.3 billion, a year-on-year increase of 32.4 percent compared to 2024.
Image credits: WAM | Cropped by GBN
Al Zeyoudi emphasized at the JEC meeting on the UAE and Australia’s commitment to empowering their private sectors under CEPA. He noted that the meeting explored trade and investment opportunities, identified obstacles, and discussed ways to make business between the two nations smoother.
The minister urged Australian businesses to leverage the UAE’s pro-business ecosystem, pointing to strategic opportunities in high-growth sectors such as AI, renewable energy, agriculture, space, and advanced technology. Al Zeyoudi highlighted the UAE’s supportive regulations, modern infrastructure, robust financial services, and strategic location at the crossroads of global trade routes.
Don Farrell Minister of Trade and Tourism- Australia
“Co-Chairing the second JEC with Al Zeyoudi is a significant step in deepening Australia and the UAE’s dynamic economic relationship. We explored new opportunities across priority sectors to grow trade, investment and innovation. Australia’s newest trade agreement, the Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), is creating enormous opportunities for our farmers, producers and exporters to access this thriving market. The UAE is our largest trading partner in the Middle East and serves as a gateway for Australia’s exports to the broader region and beyond. I encourage businesses and investors to make the most of the golden opportunity offered by CEPA.”
Fahad Al Gergawi, Under-Secretary of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade, stressed that the JEC focuses on boosting trade and investment while supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. He highlighted the committee’s role in promoting joint investments across priority sectors, including technology, agriculture and food security, transport, infrastructure, logistics, and tourism.
