Business and policy leaders gathered in Dubai to mark four years of the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, reaffirming the deal’s role as a driver of one of the world’s fastest-growing bilateral economic partnerships.
The high-level event, organised by the Indian Business and Professional Council Dubai, brought together government representatives, diplomats, investors and industry leaders to assess CEPA’s impact and chart the next phase of cooperation.
IBPC Dubai Secretary General Dr. Sahitya Chaturvedi said bilateral trade has grown 37 percent since the agreement came into force in 2022. UAE exports to India rose 41 percent, while Indian exports to the UAE climbed 30 percent. Both sides are now working toward a revised target of 200 billion US dollars by 2032.
Ahmed Aljneibi, Director at the UAE-India CEPA Council, told the gathering that the partnership is moving beyond trade facilitation toward deeper economic integration. “The focus now shifts from expansion to deep integration, enabling businesses, startups and investors to unlock the next generation of opportunities across health, sustainability, manufacturing and fintech,” he said. He described the bilateral relationship as increasingly measured “by companies, capital and talent, not just trade volumes.”
Sector discussions highlighted opportunities in pharmaceuticals, clean energy, fintech, aviation and digital commerce – with participants agreeing that sustained policy coordination will be key to meeting the two countries’ long-term economic ambitions.Discussions also covered CEPA 4.0 priorities, regulatory frameworks, investment facilitation, and opportunities to deepen industry collaboration. Participants highlighted the agreement’s positive impact on market access, supply chain resilience, investment flows, and overall business confidence.
