UAE And Ukraine Signs Trade Deal With Almost ZERO TAX LIABILITY.

Dubai; June 2026: The UAE-Ukraine Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has officially entered into force, opening the way for lower tariffs and easier market access between the two countries. The agreement, which takes effect from tomorrow (01st July 2026), is expected to support trade and investment flows between the UAE and Ukraine, while giving businesses in both markets wider access to goods, services and growth opportunities.

Under the CEPA, 99% of Ukrainian imports of UAE goods and 97% of Ukrainian exports to the UAE will be exempt from customs duties with immediate effect. The UAE has said that the agreement marks a major step in strengthening economic ties with Ukraine, a key European market, while reinforcing the Emirates role as a global trade hub.

Non-oil foreign trade between the UAE and Ukraine reached $346.8 million in 2025. The agreement is aimed at rebuilding that flow after bilateral non-oil trade had reached $904.4 million in 2021. The CEPA is forecast to contribute $369 million to the UAE’s gross domestic product and $874 million to Ukraine’s GDP by 2031.

The agreement will eliminate or reduce tariffs across a wide range of goods and services, making it easier for businesses to enter each other’s markets and expand internationally. It is also expected to support private sector collaboration, with companies and entrepreneurs in both countries gaining from clearer trade channels and improved investment prospects.

“The UAE-Ukraine CEPA represents a landmark moment in our economic partnership”, said Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, while adding further, “This agreement is designed to revitalise trade flows, unlock new avenues for investment, and foster collaboration across essential sectors, thereby benefiting both nations. By aligning our economic strategies, we can drive resilient and sustainable growth in an ever-evolving global landscape”.

The Ukraine agreement adds to the UAE’s broader trade strategy, which aims to expand the country’s global economic footprint and lift total trade value to $1 trillion by 2031. The UAE has now secured 37 agreements, with 17 in force.

Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Trade, has reiterated: “More good news as Ukraine has signed a historic Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the United Arab Emirates. This unique agreement essentially opens the door to the global market, considering the UAE’s role as a key economic, trade, and financial hub in the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates is a leader in logistics and trade, which increasingly provides Ukraine with unprecedented opportunities”.

Yulia Svyrydenko further asserted. “Secondly, this is not a traditional free trade agreement. The impressive scope is comprehensive, covering goods, services, investments, digital trade, and much more. Even short-term analysis shows that this agreement will help maintain a positive trade balance in merchandise trade. In the medium and long term, this partnership alone is expected to contribute around 0.10% to Ukraine’s GDP growth trajectory”.

The agreement was signed jointly with the UAE Minister of International Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, in the presence of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the UAE’s President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

What exactly does the agreement provide?

• Maximum market access liberalisation for both our countries, covering almost all areas of bilateral trade. Ukrainian goods will gain full access to the UAE market for 96.6% of product lines. For certain goods (poultry meat, eggs, sunflower oil, and metal products), import tariff quotas will apply, with the possibility of duty-free trade within these limits.

• One of the most important outcomes is the creation of a Ukrainian-Emirati Investment Council, which will help increase the influx of investments and remove potential barriers faced by investors.

• We are grateful for the opportunities that this agreement opens for Ukrainian small and medium-sized enterprises. I am confident that the SME Committee, which we will establish under the agreement, will provide comprehensive business support, particularly in the areas of training and consulting.

• Ukrainian companies will gain simplified access to the markets of the UAE and other countries in the region, with predictable trade conditions and the removal of barriers to export and investment. The UAE has lifted the restriction for Ukraine on the foreign capital share of 49%. Now, Ukrainian entrepreneurs can register companies with a foreign capital share of up to 70%, and in some sectors, even gradually up to 100%. This applies, in particular, to commercial services, construction, education, healthcare, and accounting.

• When registering in the UAE’s free economic zones, the foreign capital share can be 100%.

• Another important area is digital trade. We guarantee the absence of customs duties on digital data transfers. We will work towards regulatory transparency for businesses that seek to join the digital economy.

The highest growth rates are expected in sectors such as transportation, metallurgy, and the food industry, in particular, the milling sector and oil production. The Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister has expressed her confidence that this agreement will provide a powerful impetus for the development of our economies, enhance cooperation in key sectors, and serve as the foundation for further stable interaction between our countries.

Team Maverick.