Singapore and the UAE will begin negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement after leaders announced new cooperation initiatives in energy, water management and disease control, alongside plans to expand trade and investment.
Singapore and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have announced plans to begin negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to strengthen trade, investment and economic cooperation between the two countries. The announcement was made by Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during Wong’s official visit to Abu Dhabi.
The proposed agreement aims to deepen economic integration, improve market access, facilitate investment flows and create new opportunities for businesses in both countries. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral relations under the Singapore-UAE Comprehensive Partnership, established in 2019.
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During the meeting, the two leaders also witnessed the exchange of three memorandums of understanding covering energy cooperation, water management and disease vector control. The agreements are intended to strengthen collaboration in areas related to energy security, sustainable water management and public health.
As part of the energy agreement, Singapore and the UAE will establish a Joint Energy Taskforce under the Abu Dhabi-Singapore Joint Forum. The taskforce will explore opportunities across the energy value chain, including energy trading, infrastructure development and downstream activities. Both countries also welcomed ongoing cooperation in nuclear energy involving the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company.
Water cooperation will focus on areas such as desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, reuse and innovative water technologies. The disease vector control agreement will facilitate the exchange of technical expertise and operational knowledge to help manage mosquito populations and strengthen public health initiatives.
The two countries will also explore collaboration in artificial intelligence, advanced technologies, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, space, defence and financial services. Singapore and the UAE have identified opportunities to strengthen cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), particularly in trade and investment. Singapore is scheduled to chair ASEAN in 2027, creating an opportunity to advance discussions on a potential ASEAN-GCC free trade agreement.
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Bilateral economic relations continue to expand. Non-oil trade between Singapore and the UAE reached approximately US$6.5 billion in 2025, representing a 25% increase from the previous year. The UAE remains Singapore’s largest trading partner in the Middle East.
The proposed CEPA negotiations and new cooperation agreements reflect both countries’ efforts to diversify economic partnerships, strengthen supply chain resilience and create opportunities across strategic industries.