This week marked a major milestone in strengthening economic ties between the European Union and the United Arab Emirates, as formal negotiations for a comprehensive trade agreement were officially launched.
At the heart of this initiative was a high-level roundtable hosted at Dubai Chambers, attended by leading figures from both the UAE government and the European Commission. The event welcomed EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, H.E. Maroš Šefčovič, and UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, H.E. Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, alongside key institutional and private sector representatives.
Among the invited participants was the UAE–Croatia Business Club, represented by its President Mr. Neven Roginić, who contributed to the discussions on enhancing bilateral and multilateral business ties within this broader EU–UAE context. This marked an important moment of recognition for Croatia’s growing business engagement with the Gulf region.
The roundtable brought together:
H.E. Eng. Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Chairman of Dubai Chambers
H.E. Lucie Berger, Ambassador of the European Union to the UAE
H.E. Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President & CEO of Dubai Chambers
Leon Delvaux, Director at the Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security
Representatives from Dubai’s private sector, EU Member States, and regional business councils
This marks the beginning of formal talks on an ambitious Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)—a strategic framework to unlock new trade, investment, and innovation opportunities across both regions.
With €56 billion in goods, €39 billion in services, and over €330 billion in mutual investments, the UAE and EU already enjoy a strong and dynamic trade relationship. The new agreement promises to enhance that relationship even further by:
Expanding market access for exporters and service providers
Reducing barriers and aligning standards for cross-border trade
Creating a clear framework for long-term, rules-based economic cooperation
Opening the UAE as a strategic gateway to Africa, Asia, and the Middle East for European companies
Offering the EU greater access to the UAE’s vibrant innovation and start-up ecosystem
For the UAE–Croatia Business Club and the Croatian business community, this is a landmark opportunity. As Croatia continues to deepen its presence in the Gulf, the trade agreement offers a structured and mutually beneficial path for scaling businesses, forging new partnerships, and attracting FDI into high-potential sectors such as infrastructure, tourism, food production, and advanced manufacturing.
We commend the efforts of both governments and institutions, including the European Commission, UAE Ministry of Economy, and Dubai Chambers, for driving this forward-looking initiative. It reinforces a shared commitment to open, sustainable, and inclusive trade.
The UAE–Croatia Business Club stands ready to support its members in seizing the opportunities that this historic agreement will soon offer.
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