At an event organised by the Indian Business and Professional Council Dubai (IBPC Dubai), senior business leaders, policymakers, trade experts, investors and industry stakeholders gathered in Dubai to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the landmark India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

The event saw the participation of representatives from government entities, diplomatic missions, trade councils, family offices, sovereign investment groups and the wider business community to reaffirm the rapidly expanding strategic and economic partnership between India and the UAE.

The delegates discussed the next phase of India-UAE economic collaboration.

Inaugurating the session, Secretary-General of IBPC Dubai Dr. Sahitya Chaturvedi highlighted the significant progress achieved under CEPA, stating that UAE exports to India had increased by 41%, while Indian exports to the UAE had risen by 30%. He underscored the agreement’s role as a major catalyst for non-oil trade growth and economic integration, confirming that bilateral trade had recorded an overall growth of 37% since the agreement had come into force.

Dr. Chaturvedi also underlined the continued momentum toward the long-term bilateral trade revised target of US$200 billion and highlighted CEPA’s growing role in strengthening investor confidence and facilitating cross-border business expansion.

The event, which focused on CEPA’s transformational impact since its implementation in 2022, also explored emerging opportunities across pharmaceuticals, digital commerce, logistics, manufacturing, fintech, healthcare, aviation, innovation and cross-border investments.

Among India’s fastest-growing export categories to the UAE were pearls, precious metals and jewellery, electrical machinery and equipment, mineral fuels and oils, and aircraft parts.

Ahmed Aljneibi, Director at the UAE-India CEPA Council, said that the India-UAE partnership was evolving beyond trade facilitation toward deeper economic integration driven by innovation, startups, entrepreneurship and talent mobility.

Acknowledging IBPC Dubai’s longstanding contribution to bilateral business relations, he described the organisation as a ‘human bridge builder’ between both economies even before the formalisation of CEPA.

Discussions also covered CEPA 4.0 priorities, regulatory frameworks, investment facilitation, and opportunities to deepen industry collaboration. Participants highlighted the agreement’s positive impact on market access, supply chain resilience, investment flows, and overall business confidence.

Industry discussions also emphasised strategic sectors aligned with the UAE’s D33 economic agenda, such as infrastructure, clean energy, digital economy, fintech, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agri-tech and aviation. – editor@nrifocus.com