In what has been highlighted by the government as “one of the great milestones” of Ecuador’s trade diversification policy, negotiations have been technically concluded for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates. The agreement, widely regarded as the most complete tool to promote Ecuadorian exports, attracts investment and opens doors in economies with high purchasing power. The trade agreement between Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates will give the South American nation preferential access to one of the Middle East’s fastest-growing and strategically located economies.
Announcement of Trade Agreement Closure Reached Between Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates
The South American nation’s efforts to promote greater openness and diversification through trade policy scored a coup with the recent announcement of the technical closing of negotiations for a trade agreement between Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates. Signed by President Daniel Noboa, the communication officially detailed the successful conclusion of discussions aimed at strengthening Ecuador’s external agenda, diversifying its exports, and opening new markets to Ecuadorian producers across all sectors of the economy.
Trade Agreement Signed Between Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates at WGS 2026
The trade agreement between Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates was announced at WGS 2026 (World Governments Summit), the Dubai forum that brings together leaders, policymakers, experts, and representatives of the private sector from around the world. The agreement was jointly announced by Ecuador’s Minister of Production, Foreign Trade and Investments, Luis Alberto Jaramillo, and his United Arab Emirates counterpart, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, during the event.
Framework and strategic scope of the trade agreement between Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates
Geostrategically located and endowed with high purchasing power, the Middle East also represents one of the fastest-growing regions in the world and a point of convergence for global logistics and trade routes. The Emirates, therefore, occupy a gateway position to markets in the GCC region, Asia, and Africa, with exceptional connectivity and access conditions for Ecuadorian products that seek to insert themselves into these and other markets internationally.
Negotiations between Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates were completed ahead of schedule
The negotiation of this new Ecuador trade agreement concluded successfully in less than a year, with both countries achieving technical closure of negotiations after several months of intense work by teams on 19 different negotiation disciplines, as follows: market access for goods; rules of origin; trade in services; investment; protection of intellectual property; government procurement; sanitary and phytosanitary measures; technical barriers to trade; and economic cooperation.
Ratification process
With the technical closing, both countries will initiate their respective internal procedures for signing and ratification according to their constitutional requirements. Once complied with, the agreement enters into force and becomes binding, beginning to generate benefits for exporters and investors, as well as consumers in both countries.
Reduction and exemptions from tariffs for Ecuador’s exports to the United Arab Emirates
With this CEPA, 75% of Ecuador’s exportable goods to the United Arab Emirates will benefit from zero percent tariffs when entering the UAE market. Added value: 98% of Ecuador’s exports under negotiation will be covered by tariff preferences from day one of the entry into force of the agreement.
Impact on Ecuadorian exports
CEPA will cover more than 4,000 Ecuadorian products, both agricultural and industrial. Fresh roses, cocoa beans, prepared tuna, copper ore and concentrates, metal waste and scrap, sawn tropical wood (including balsa, virola, and imbuía), and wood panels are just some of the Ecuadorian exports that will benefit from zero tariffs upon entry into force of the Agreement.
Facilitation for industry and growth sectors in Ecuador
The gradual tariff dismantling agreed upon by Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates will be up to ten years for certain products. This will allow productive sectors such as livestock, aquaculture, agri-food industry, manufactures, textiles, footwear, and other finished goods such as furniture, auto parts, machinery, and equipment to grow and strengthen in Ecuador before facing greater external competition. This long-term approach seeks to maximize the benefits for sectors that produce under the agreement.
Non-oil exports as leaders in Ecuador’s exports with zero tariff
Products such as shrimp, fresh roses, bananas, and frozen vegetables, among others, are part of Ecuador’s main non-oil exports. The immediate duty-free access they will have to the United Arab Emirates market as of the entry into force of the CEPA is expected to boost exports of these goods and diversify the destinations and products that Ecuador sells to the rest of the world.
Trade Promotion Ecuador – United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
The Agreement Between Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates for the Promotion of Trade (CEPA, for its acronym in English) is projected to boost bilateral trade in goods substantially over the coming years. During the 2020-2024 period, Ecuador exported USD 1.368 billion to its eastern partner. If, under the Agreement, Ecuador reaches sales of up to USD 1 billion a year to the UAE market by 2030, that would represent an expansion of exports to that country by more than 60%, with more diversified exports.
Bilateral Investment Treaty Ecuador United Arab Emirates (“BIT”)
This advance complements the work being done on the Bilateral Investment Treaty between Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates, signed in December 2025 and currently subject to constitutional review. BIT protects investors and legal certainty, improving the rules of the game for foreign direct investment (FDI). While the CEPA facilitates exports and diversification, the BIT offers investment incentives that may stimulate interest from Emirati investors in sectors such as infrastructure, renewable energy, logistics, agribusiness, manufacturing, and others.