🇻🇳🤝🇦🇪 Vietnam–UAE CEPA: What SMEs Need to Know and How to Benefit

Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on October 28, 2024, marking Vietnam’s first trade deal with an Arab nation. This agreement unlocks a gateway for Vietnamese and international SMEs to access a fast-growing Middle Eastern market valued at over US$500 billion annually.

🔑 Key Details of the Agreement

• CEPA contains 18 chapters, 15 annexes, and two bilateral letters covering trade in goods and services, investment, customs, intellectual property, government procurement, and digital trade.

• The UAE will remove tariffs on 99% of Vietnam’s exports, while Vietnam will eliminate 98.5% of UAE exports over scheduled phases.

• Tariff elimination spans immediate, 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year timelines, ensuring progressive access for major sectors.

(Sources: Vietnam Briefing, Vietnam News)

📈 Industries That Stand to Benefit

📊 Trade Snapshot

• US$4.7 billion total trade in 2023 (up 35% YoY).

• US$4.3 billion in Vietnamese exports to UAE (Jan–Sept 2024).

• Vietnam enjoys a trade surplus of roughly US$3–4 billion annually.

(Source: Vietnam Ministry of Industry & Trade)

🧭 Action Plan for SMEs

• Review product eligibility: Check your HS codes for phased tariff reductions.
• Meet UAE import standards: Secure halal, SPS, and TBT certifications where required.
• Ensure rules-of-origin compliance: Keep documentation and sourcing transparent.
• Adapt packaging and branding: Highlight premium quality, sustainability, and Vietnam origin.
• Explore UAE logistics hubs: Use Dubai Free Zones or Jebel Ali Port to re-export efficiently across the GCC.
• Monitor CEPA implementation: Benefits begin after full ratification — expected in early 2025.

🔍 Conclusion

The Vietnam–UAE CEPA is more than a trade agreement — it’s a bridge connecting Southeast Asia’s manufacturing powerhouse with the Middle East’s dynamic consumer markets. SMEs that align early with CEPA standards, certifications, and logistics will stand ahead of the competition.

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