The Law on the Ratification of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the EAEU and the UAE Has Been Adopted: What It Means for Business
- 1. New trade regime: tariff reductions and expanded access to the UAE market
- 2. Which EAEU goods will receive preferential access
- 3. How imports from the UAE will change
- How we can help
- Contact a lawyer for further information
The House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus has adopted the draft Law “On the Ratification of the Agreement on Economic Partnership between the Eurasian Economic Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the United Arab Emirates, of the other part”.
The document was signed in Minsk on 27 June 2025 and is currently undergoing ratification in the participating countries. The Agreement will enter into force on the 61st day after completion of the ratification procedures in the UAE and in all EAEU Member States.
This is the largest trade agreement with a Gulf state, establishing a new preferential trade regime and opening up significant opportunities for exporters and importers from Belarus and the region.
1. New trade regime: tariff reductions and expanded access to the UAE market
Under the Agreement:
- the UAE grants preferential access for 86% of the goods nomenclature;
- the EAEU provides concessions in respect of 85% of the goods nomenclature.
For the EAEU countries, this means:
- preferences will cover more than USD 12.1 billion of exports — i.e. 98% of current export shipments to the UAE;
- a reduction in the average rate of import customs duties applied by the UAE to EAEU goods from 5.0% to 0.6%;
- savings on duty payments of more than USD 260 million per year.
In effect, the regime makes the UAE one of the most attractive markets for exporters from the EAEU Member States.
2. Which EAEU goods will receive preferential access
Agriculture and food
- cereals;
- meat and poultry meat;
- eggs;
- dried vegetables;
- vegetable oil;
- dairy products; and others.
- Industrial products
- alloy steel rolled products;
- hot-rolled and cold-rolled products;
- pipes, sections, angles;
- aluminium and copper wire;
- aluminium foil;
- furniture, boards, plywood, pallets; and others.
- Equipment and machinery
- generating sets;
- batteries and accumulators;
- railway containers;
- motor vehicles and specialised equipment.
Chemical products and pharmaceuticals
- a wide range of chemical industry products;
- medicinal products.
Accordingly, the preferences cover the core export basket of Belarus and the EAEU.
3. How imports from the UAE will change
The UAE will have the opportunity to expand exports to the EAEU across a wide range of goods, including:
- cosmetics and perfumery;
- watches;
- fashion-segment goods;
- certain types of consumer products.
For distributors and retail, this creates conditions for expanding product ranges and optimising procurement prices.
4. What this means for business in Belarus and the EAEU
The adoption of the Agreement creates real growth points for companies:
- for exporters — reduced duties, facilitated entry to the UAE market, and increased competitiveness;
- for importers and distributors — an expanded range of UAE goods on favourable terms;
- for manufacturers — an incentive to develop products in demand in the Gulf states;
- for logistics providers and traders — increased cargo flows and demand for new supply chains;
- for investors — improved conditions for joint projects and localisation of production.
The UAE is a market with high purchasing power and a strategically advantageous geographical location, which now becomes more accessible for Belarusian and regional companies.
How we can help
The REVERA team provides legal support on matters of international trade, customs regulation, structuring export and import operations, and business localisation.
We are ready to:
- assess whether your goods fall under the preferential regime;
- calculate the tariff reduction and the economic effect;
- develop an optimal export or import model under the new agreement;
- support foreign trade contracts, logistics, certification and compliance;
- assist with entering the UAE market and establishing partnerships.
Shall we arrange a time for a consultation right now?
Author: Mikhail Dzenisiuk.
Contact a lawyer for further information
Contact a lawyer
