Mauritius is set to sign the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking a significant step towards the consolidation of economic and trade ties between both countries.

First announced at the beginning of 2023, the CEPA has now been finalized after two rounds of negotiations in July 2023 and December 2023.  Amongst others, the CEPA covers Trade in Goods, Rules of Origin, Customs Administration and Trade Facilitation, Trade Remedies, Investment Facilitation, Trade in Services and Dispute Settlement.

It is noted that the CEPA is the first agreement of its kind that the UAE will enter with an African country, and it is expected that it will further enhance the trade between Mauritius and the UAE, by promoting non-oil bilateral flows and opening new alleyways for collaboration.