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UAE-Malaysia CEPA was signed in Abu Dhabi on 14 January 2025 by His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE’s Minister of Foreign Trade, and His Excellency Tengku Zafrul Aziz, Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry.

The ceremony was presided over by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, and His Excellency Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia.

The UAE–Malaysia CEPA has 19 chapters and their annexes. The CEPA provides market access for goods; provides for the elimination or reduction of tariffs on almost all goods; contains commitments addressing non-tariff barriers, liberalizes trade in services, opens new pathways for investment, enhances collaboration between the Partners, and more.

Summary of the CEPA Content

Trade in Goods

The UAE–Malaysia CEPA provides for the immediate elimination of tariffs on almost all qualifying goods made in Malaysia or in the UAE, including those from free zones. Some products are subject to gradual tariff dismantlement with quotas over a 7-year period for Malaysia and a 5-year period for the UAE. As well as exclusions of sensitive and prohibited goods.

For detailed information on preferential tariff rates, please review the CEPA Market Access Dashboard below.

For goods to qualify for preferential tariff treatment, they must meet the Rules of Origin requirements that are flexible and seek to enhance two-way trade between the two Partners. CEPA supports the flow of goods in a simple, less costly, and timely manner through trade facilitation and customs cooperation arrangements.

The CEPA puts in place rules to ensure that product health and safety requirements are in line with international standards and do not become a barrier to trade.

CEPA reinforces the principle of fair trade by allowing for temporary relief against unfair trade or unforeseen surges in imports in accordance with the WTO agreements covering safeguards, subsidies, countervailing duties, and anti-dumping measures, as well as allowing for bilateral safeguard measures.

Trade in Services

Sets clear and transparent rules to facilitate the cross-border supply of services and ensure that service providers enjoy favorable treatment across a variety of service sectors and subsectors, including professional services, financial services, logistics, travel and tourism, and transport services.

For detailed information, please refer to the Trade in Services chapter, and its annexes on Schedules of Specific Commitments which include the services sectors and sub-sectors by clicking the link below.

Digital Trade

CEPA brings greater coherence to a continuously evolving digital trading landscape integral to today’s global economy by establishing common disciplines that enhance confidence and ensure that digital trade flows benefit both businesses and consumers.

Investment Facilitation

CEPA reaffirms each Partner’s commitment to the protection of investment under the 1991 Bilateral Investment Agreement and establishes a Technical Council to promote and enhance investment flows, identify opportunities for expanding investment, overcome investment impediments, and engage with the business community.

Government Procurement

CEPA establishes contact points and creates a mechanism to enhance transparency and to allow the two trading Partners to cooperate on government procurement matters.

Intellectual Property Rights

CEPA complements existing international principles and standards for the treatment, protection, and enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) in a manner that is conducive to invention, innovation, and creativity.

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)

CEPA recognizes the specific needs of SMEs and seeks to make it easier for SMEs and entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and attract investment by providing information and putting in place joint platforms to assist SMEs in developing linkages and building capacities.

Economic Cooperation

CEPA promotes cooperation and collaboration among the Partners to support stronger economic ties and ensure that businesses can fully benefit from the opportunities made possible by the Agreement. Areas of cooperation include manufacturing industries; agriculture, forestry and fisheries; tourism; energy; global value chains; trade and investment promotion; intellectual property; information and communication technology; capacity building and technical assistance; competition; as well as SMEs. Moreover, the Partners may agree on other new areas of cooperation that are in their mutual interests and contribute to achieving the objectives of CEPA.

Islamic Economy

CEPA contains comments to encourage greater cooperation among the Partners to promote and facilitate the development of the Islamic Economy in areas such as Halal products, financial services, and tourism.

Disputes Settlement

The CEPA’s state-to-state trade dispute settlement mechanism underscores the Partners’ commitment to resolving trade disputes in a timely manner that preserves the levels of trade liberalization and benefits the economy.

Agreement Administration

CEPA establishes an administrative and communication structure that is mainly comprised of specialised committees and subcommittees that manage and oversee the implementation of the different aspects of the CEPA.