Today, the Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, and His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), were in Toronto, Ontario, to welcome the successful conclusion of negotiations toward the Canada-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Negotiations toward the agreement were launched during Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to the UAE in November 2025, and their conclusion marks an important milestone in the growing partnership between the two countries.
Once implemented, the agreement will advance Canada's economic priorities by:
- strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties
- improving market access for Canadian businesses
- reducing barriers to trade
- enhancing supply chain resiliency
- creating new opportunities for workers and businesses in the two countries
Minister Sidhu and Minister Al Zeyoudi also discussed the two countries' shared trade and investment interests and strengthened commercial cooperation. Minister Sidhu noted that Canada is diversifying its trade worldwide, and he promoted Canada as a trusted commercial and investment partner and supporter of increased global market access. Minister Al Zeyoudi invited Minister Sidhu to the UAE, with a Canadian business delegation, to further explore trade and investment opportunities.
While in Toronto, Minister Sidhu attended a round-table discussion hosted by the Canada-UAE Business Council. There, he met with members of the UAE business delegation and Canadian industry leaders and investors. The Minister reaffirmed Canada's support for Canadian companies looking to grow their presence in the UAE and for UAE businesses seeking investments in Canada. Minister Sidhu said he looks forward to welcoming Canadian and UAE investors in September at the Canada Investment Summit in Toronto, where they'll connect and advance investment opportunities.
The conclusion of Canada-UAE CEPA negotiations, one of the fastest agreement negotiations that Canada has ever completed, showcases Canada's commitment to strengthening its relationship with the UAE and its trade diversification.
