Peru and UAE Launch Negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
Lima, September 5, 2025 – Peru has taken a decisive step toward strengthening its economic and trade ties with the Middle East. The Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Desilú León, announced the start of negotiations between Peru and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
The announcement follows the official conclusion of the Terms of Reference (TDR), which will govern the negotiation process. This milestone marks Peru’s first-ever trade negotiation with a Middle Eastern country, opening the door to broader commercial relations with the Gulf region.
A Landmark Opportunity for Peru
Minister León emphasized the strategic importance of this agreement:
“This new process of negotiation is of particular interest for Peru, as it represents our first negotiation with a Middle Eastern country. It is a firm step to strengthen commercial ties with this region, broaden opportunities for Peruvian companies in goods and services, and attract greater Emirati investment into Peru,” she said.
The first round of negotiations is scheduled to take place from November 24 to 27, 2025.
Access to a High-Potential Market
The UAE, with a GDP per capita of US$49,500, represents one of the world’s most attractive markets. The CEPA will allow Peruvian products to access this high-income economy, where demand for fresh foods, gourmet products, and sustainable goods is rapidly expanding — all sectors in which Peru has strong export potential.
Beyond tariff elimination, the agreement will also include provisions covering:
- Services and investment
- Digital trade
- Trade facilitation
- Intellectual property
- SME development
Strengthening Bilateral Trade
Peru-UAE trade has been gaining momentum. In 2024, bilateral trade reached US$1.97 billion, marking an 83% increase compared to 2023. Peruvian exports are dominated by gold, but also include mangoes, blueberries, beans, quinoa, coffee, and Brazil nuts.
On the other side, imports from the UAE totaled US$37 million, mainly in chemicals, plastics, and petroleum derivatives.
Currently, Peruvian goods face tariffs as high as 14.5%, with agricultural products paying between 5.4% and 25.6%. With preferential access, Peru’s non-traditional exports are expected to expand significantly in the UAE.
Attracting Emirati Investment
The CEPA is not only about exports. Minister León highlighted that the agreement is also aimed at attracting investment from the UAE into Peru, particularly in:
- Infrastructure projects
- Renewable energy
- Tourism
- Technology and innovation
Such investment would provide new opportunities for economic development and diversification in Peru while positioning the country as a strategic partner for the Gulf in Latin America.
