Economic relations between the UAE and Türkiye continue to strengthen as bilateral trade and investment cooperation accelerate under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which officially came into force in September 2023.
Speaking during a series of business meetings and official engagements in Istanbul, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi said non-oil trade between the UAE and Türkiye had nearly tripled compared to 2022 levels, before the CEPA agreement was signed and implemented.
According to figures shared during the visit, non-oil foreign trade between the two countries exceeded $45.2 billion in 2025, reflecting an annual growth of 15.5 per cent compared with 2024.
Al Zeyoudi met several senior Turkish officials during the visit, including Mustafa Tuzcu, with discussions centred on strengthening bilateral trade cooperation, increasing investment flows, and maximising the long-term benefits of the trade agreement.
Addressing the UAE-Türkiye Business Forum in Istanbul, Al Zeyoudi described the relationship between the two countries as a rapidly growing partnership built on shared economic ambitions and mutual cooperation.
He stated that the CEPA agreement had already delivered measurable economic results, significantly boosting non-oil trade volumes between the two nations within a short period of implementation.
Officials from both countries are now focusing on expanding opportunities for private-sector collaboration, strengthening supply chains, and supporting sustainable economic growth across multiple industries.
Al Zeyoudi also participated in the third annual meeting of the UAE-Türkiye Business Council following its restructuring, describing the council as an important platform for deepening trade and investment relations between the two economies.
He emphasised that the UAE remains committed to building a more ambitious and innovation-driven strategic partnership with Türkiye in the coming years.
The UAE delegation included representatives from several major sectors, including logistics, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, technology, food security, aviation, healthcare, and financial services.
During the forum, both countries also signed two new memoranda of understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation between business communities and expanding future partnership opportunities.
The UAE-Türkiye CEPA was among the first trade agreements signed under the UAE’s broader strategy to diversify foreign trade partnerships, strengthen economic resilience, and create new growth opportunities for businesses operating across international markets.
