The third meeting of the Joint Committee under the India–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was held in New Delhi recently, where issues concerning market access, data sharing, allocation of gold import quotas, and anti-dumping, were discussed by both India and the UAE.

Services related to boosting economic ties between India and the UAE were also part of the agenda.

With bilateral trade crossing $100 billion in 2024–25, highlighting an increase of 19.6% over 2023–24, both the nations agreed upon setting and reaching a target of $100 billion around 2030 by increasing non-oil and non-precious metal trade.

CEPA, which is a type of free trade agreement (FTA), and the Joint Committee are empowered with the task of tracking its implementation, and addressing challenges, besides reviewing the progress.

The teams confirmed after the meeting that the two sides conducted a comprehensive review of progress under CEPA, and detailed discussions were held on market access issues, data sharing, allocation of Gold TRQ (tariff rate quota), anti-dumping matters, services, Rules of Origin, and BIS licensing.

India and the UAE deliberated upon enhancing regulatory cooperation in pharmaceuticals, resolution of issues related to Certificates of Origin, and early signing of the MoU on Food Safety and Technical Requirements between Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), India and Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, UAE.

The India side briefed the UAE on its recent decision to allocate Gold TRQ through a transparent competitive bidding process. – editor@nrifocus.com