The Argentine Government and the United Arab Emirates announced the start of negotiations to reach a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aimed at expanding bilateral trade and generating new investment opportunities in strategic sectors for both countries.
The announcement came after a meeting in New York between Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno and Emirati Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The Chancellor to the Minister of Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi
According to the joint statement, the negotiations will seek to increase opportunities for goods and services and promote investments in sectors such as mining and strategic minerals, artificial intelligence, energy, agribusiness, aerospace industry, tourism, infrastructure, and urban development.
Both governments also highlighted the Bilateral Investment Treaty and the Agreement to Avoid Double Taxation, which are currently in force, as the foundation of the economic relationship.
The rapprochement between the two countries had already made progress in July, when Al Zeyoudi led an official visit to Buenos Aires as part of the so-called “UAE Trade Days.” During those meetings, government representatives and businesspeople discussed opportunities for cooperation and investment.
Non-oil trade between Argentina and the United Arab Emirates reached USD 767.5 million during 2025, representing a growth of 42.6% compared to the previous year, according to official figures released by the Emirati government. One of the main precedents of this cooperation is the participation of XRG, the international energy investment arm of ADNOC, alongside YPF and the Italian Eni in Argentina LNG.
The project involves estimated investments of approximately USD 51 billion and an initial production capacity of 12 million tons per year of liquefied natural gas through two floating units. YPF also anticipates the possibility of subsequently expanding that capacity.
The Chancellor to the Minister of Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi
The announcement with the UAE was also made after the launch of the Andes-Atlantic Corridor between Argentina and the United States, an initiative aimed at mobilizing investments for transportation, energy, and connectivity infrastructure and boosting exports of oil, gas, and critical minerals.
In this way, the Government continues to advance in international agreements aimed at expanding markets and attracting investments for sectors related to natural resources, energy, infrastructure, and new technologies.
