UAE and Central African Leaders Discuss Strengthening Bilateral Ties

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and President Faustin Archange Touadéra of the Central African Republic had a telephone conversation discussing ways to enhance cooperation between their two countries. The two leaders’s discussions centered on strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest including the economy, trade, investment, renewable energy and infrastructure.

Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement:

A significant outcome of their conversation was the ratification of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) which was signed on March 6th during the working visit of President Touadéra to the UAE. This agreement is projected to expand bilateral trade by AED 3.67 billion in the next five to seven years. The presidents once again renewed their commitment to using the CEPA to help encourage sustainable economic growth and development.

As noted by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, the agreement allows for a very high degree of trade liberalization by eliminating tariffs on export goods more than 98%. This will create new opportunities for economic cooperation between both countries.

Regional and International Issues of Mutual Interest:

The two leaders also exchanged perspectives on regional and international developments. They noted that political stability and economic resilience are important to the region and their efforts to align with events that can mutually concern them on global matters.

The phone conversation confirmed the commitment of both countries to the development of strengthening diplomatic relations and cooperation toward sustainable development goals from both countries.