Results of the 4th round of negotiations on the free trade agreement with the UAE

From September 18 to 20, the fourth round of negotiations on concluding an economic partnership agreement (free trade agreement) between the EAEU member states and the United Arab Emirates was held.

The parties have made significant progress in agreeing on rules and issues of market access (reduction of import duties), which is the most important part of the draft of the future agreement.

Vice Minister of Trade and Integration Zhanel Kushukova noted that the constructive approach of both parties would help to achieve mutually beneficial solutions.

«The issues of mutual access to markets are the basis of free trade agreements. At the moment, we have managed to achieve significant progress in discussing the terms of tariff liberalization with the Emirati side» - noted Vice Minister of Trade and Integration Zhanel Kushukova.

In May 2024, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan K.K. Tokayev emphasized the importance of expanding trade agreement network with other countries during the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council.

For reference: trade turnover between Kazakhstan and the UAE in January - July 2024 amounted to $145.8 million. Kazakhstan exported goods to the UAE worth $60.4 million, including silver, rolled steel and lamb. Imports amounted to $85.4 million with main imports being pipes and pumps.