CEPA is the growth engine for India-UAE bilateral trade

CEPA is a full and deep Agreement signed on 18 February 2022, during a virtual summit between the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi and President of UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. CEPA entered into force from May 1, 2022.

The Commerce Secretary said that both sides are continuing to work together to further improve Ease of Doing Business between the two countries.

Representatives from Industry mentioned about the experience of leveraging upon the CEPA to register significant growth in their respective sectors.

During the past one year, CEPA has made a significant impact on India’s Bilateral Trade with the UAE and particularly India’s Exports to the UAE (Oil and Non-Oil).

The Bilateral Trade between India and the UAE has touched historic highs during FY 2022-23.

Trade has increased from US$ 72.9 billion (Apr 21-Mar 2022) to US$ 84.5 billion (Apr 22-Mar 2023) registering a year-on-year increase of 16%. During the CEPA Implementation period (from May 22 to Mar 23), bilateral trade increased from US$ 67.5 billion (May 21-Mar 2022) to US$ 76.9 billion (May 22-Mar 2023) – an annual increase of 14%.

Exports from India to the UAE have also registered a multiyear high. During April-March period, Indian exports to the UAE increased from US$ 28 bn to US$ 31.3 bn; an increase of around US$ 3.3 billion; or 11.8% year-on-year growth in percentage terms. During the same period, growth in India’s global exports was 5.3%, excluding the UAE, India’s global exports grew at 4.8%.

During the CEPA Implementation period (May 22 – March 23), India’s exports to the UAE increased from 26.2 billion (May 21 – March 22) to 28.5 billion (May 22 – March 23); an 8.5% y-o-y growth. During the same period, India’s global exports, excluding the UAE, grew at 3.1%. India’s Imports from the UAE have grown to USD 53.2 billion (an annual increase of 18.8%) during Apr 22 to Mar 23. Non-oil imports during the same period grew by 4.1%.

Some of the key sectors, including labour-intensive sectors, that have witnessed significant export growth on account of the CEPA include: Mineral Fuels; Electrical Machinery (particularly telephone equipment); Gems & Jewellery; Automobiles (Transport vehicles segment); Essential Oils/Perfumes/Cosmetics (Beauty/Skin care products); Other Machinery; Cereals (Rice); Coffee/Tea/Spices; Other Agri Products; and Chemical Products

Utilization of the India-UAE CEPA has been increasing steadily on a month-on-month basis. Number of Preferential Certificates of Origin (COOs) issued under the CEPA increased from 415 in May 2022 to 8440 in March 2023. Over 54,000 COOs issued under the CEPA during the 11-month (May 22 – March 23) period.

Under the India-UAE CEPA in the Goods Domain, the UAE eliminated duties on 97.4% of its tariff lines corresponding to 99% of imports from India. India has obtained immediate duty elimination on over 80% of its tariff lines corresponding to 90% of India’s exports in value terms. Most of these tariff lines correspond to the labour-intensive industries/sectors such as oil seeds & oils, beverages, cotton, fish & fish products, textiles, clothing, gems and jewellery, leather, footwear, pharmaceuticals and many engineering products.

In the Services Domain, broader and deeper commitments have been taken across all the sectors and modes of supply. Out of the 160 services subsectors, India has offered 100 sub-sectors to the UAE and the UAE has offered 111 sub-sectors to India.

Given the significant increase in bilateral trade, particularly in exports of Indian goods and services, CEPA would have had a concomitant positive impact on other key macroeconomic variables such as GDP and Employment.