CEPA comprehensively reviewed in New Delhi
The third meeting of the Joint Committee under the India–UAE CEPA in New Delhi has welcomed the strong growth in bilateral trade, which crossed US$100.06 billion in FY 2024–25, reflecting a robust increase of 19.6% and reaffirming the UAE’s position as one of India’s key trading partners https://www.commerce.gov.in/.
The meeting, held 27 Nov, was co-chaired by Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ajay Bhadoo, and Assistant Undersecretary for International Trade Affairs, UAE, Juma Al Kait. The India-UAE Joint Commission serves as the primary institutional mechanism to review progress, address challenges, and implement the CEPA – the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement https://www.bseindia.com/.
The two sides conducted a comprehensive review of progress under CEPA and detailed discussions were held on market access issues, data sharing, allocation of Gold TRQ, anti-dumping matters, services, Rules of Origin, BIS licensing etc. The India side also briefed the UAE on its recent decision to allocate Gold TRQ through a transparent competitive bidding process.
Both sides reviewed recent high-level engagements, including meetings between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Dr. Thani in Mumbai and Dubai. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to expanding non-oil/ non precious metal trade towards the US$100 billion target by 2030 https://www.nseindia.com/.
Discussions also covered regulatory cooperation in pharmaceuticals, resolution of issues related to Certificates of Origin, BIS coordination, and early signing of the MoU on Food Safety and Technical Requirements between Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), India and Ministry of Climate Change & Environment (MoCCAE), UAE.
The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to strengthen trade facilitation, regulatory collaboration, data sharing and convening of Services Subcommittee meeting. The UAE delegation also had a meeting with Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal where issues related to optimum CEPA utilisation by both sides were discussed https://fieo.org/.
The visit of the UAE delegation underscores the commitment of both countries to deepen the balance of trade, expand market opportunities, and further reinforce the strategic partnership under CEPA, the Commerce and Industry Ministry said. fiinews.com
