UAE–Malaysia CEPA to revamp logistics and connectivity

The CEPA between the UAE and Malaysia has officially come into force creating new opportunities for trade, logistics, and supply chain collaboration between the two nations, said Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, UAE. He said the CEPA would “unlock new investment avenues in key sectors such as renewable energy, technology, and logistics”. The CEPA is likely to double bilateral trade, which stood at US$5.5 billion in 2024, with a target of US$13.5 billion by 2032. In the first half of 2025 alone, trade flows reached US$3.3 billion, reflecting a 30.9 per cent year-on-year increase. The agreement removes or reduces tariffs, streamlines customs procedures, and strengthens private sector partnerships — measures that will directly benefit logistics providers and enhance efficiency across trade routes. This is Malaysia’s first trade deal with a GCC country, positioning the UAE as a gateway hub for ASEAN–Gulf trade flows.