The UAE and Argentina have officially launched negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, or CEPA. This opens the door to a broader trade and investment relationship between the Gulf and South America.
The announcement was made in New York on September 24, 2026, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi met with Argentina’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship, Pablo Quirno. Afterward, both sides issued a joint statement outlining their plans to deepen economic cooperation.
For UAE-based companies, including businesses operating through free zones, the negotiations could become significant. The two countries are looking at cooperation across energy, artificial intelligence, data centers, mining, pharmaceuticals, agribusiness, aerospace, tourism, infrastructure and real estate.
UAE and Argentina Begin CEPA Negotiations
The UAE and Argentina said they will move forward with negotiations aimed at creating an ambitious economic partnership agreement. This agreement is intended to improve market access and create new opportunities for businesses in both countries.
A CEPA can address far more than tariffs. Depending on the final terms, agreements can cover customs procedures, services, investment, digital trade and other regulatory areas that affect cross-border business. For companies trading between the UAE and Argentina, that could eventually mean a more predictable and efficient commercial framework.
The negotiations also fit into the UAE’s wider strategy of expanding its global trade network. Argentina adds another major South American market to that effort and could deepen the UAE’s commercial links with the region.
Existing Agreements Provide a Foundation
The relationship between the UAE and Argentina already has several economic agreements in place. This gives both sides a base to build on as CEPA negotiations move ahead.
The countries currently have a Bilateral Investment Treaty and a Double Taxation Agreement. These frameworks already support investment activity and help define how businesses and investors operate across both markets.
A CEPA could expand that relationship by addressing more practical issues around trade and market access. That would give exporters, investors and service providers a broader set of rules for doing business between the UAE and Argentina.
AI, Energy and Mining Take Center Stage
The sectors highlighted by the UAE and Argentina show that the relationship is not being built around one narrow area of trade.
Both sides identified mining and minerals, artificial intelligence, data centers, pharmaceuticals, energy, agribusiness, aerospace, tourism, infrastructure, real estate and urban development as potential areas for stronger cooperation.
Several of those sectors overlap with industries that are expanding rapidly across the UAE. Artificial intelligence infrastructure, data centers, logistics, advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and energy are already attracting investment across the country.
Argentina brings different strengths, particularly in agriculture, energy and natural resources. That mix could create opportunities for companies looking at cross-border investment rather than simple import and export activity.
Argentina LNG Project Highlights Investment Potential
One of the biggest examples of existing UAE-Argentina cooperation is the Argentina LNG project, which was highlighted in the joint statement.
Argentina’s state-controlled energy company YPF is working with XRG, ADNOC’s international energy investment company, on the project. The broader development is expected to involve around US$51 billion in investment over time.
Initial plans call for LNG production capacity of around 12 million tonnes annually, with potential for further expansion. The scale of the project gives a clearer picture of why energy and long-term investment are central to the economic relationship between the two countries.
It also shows that UAE investment in Argentina is already moving beyond smaller commercial transactions and into major infrastructure and strategic projects.
What a CEPA Could Mean for UAE Free Zone Companies
A future UAE-Argentina CEPA could become relevant for businesses operating through the UAE’s free zones, particularly those involved in international trade, logistics and investment.
Importers and exporters may eventually benefit from lower trade barriers or simplified customs processes if those measures are included in the final agreement. Logistics companies could also see more cargo movement between the two markets as commercial activity grows.
Food trading and agribusiness companies may find Argentina particularly attractive because of the country’s agricultural base. Energy, mining, construction and infrastructure firms could also find opportunities linked to major investment projects.
For Argentine companies, UAE free zones may offer a practical base for entering markets across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The UAE’s transport links, ports and logistics infrastructure could make it easier for South American businesses to expand beyond their home region.
UAE Strengthens Its South American Trade Links
The negotiations with Argentina also reflect the UAE’s broader effort to strengthen its economic presence in South America.
The UAE has already pursued trade agreements and partnerships with countries across the region, including Chile. At the same time, it is also engaging with Mercosur members.
These relationships help the UAE build new trade corridors that connect South America with the Gulf. For businesses, that can create more options for sourcing products, developing supply chains and entering new markets.
The strategy also supports the UAE’s position as a global trading hub. Instead of relying on a small number of traditional markets, the country continues to widen its network of commercial partnerships.
Investment Could Move Beyond Traditional Trade
The sectors identified during the UAE-Argentina talks suggest that the partnership could extend well beyond physical goods.
Artificial intelligence, data centers and advanced technology could become important areas of cooperation as both countries look to attract investment into digital infrastructure. Pharmaceuticals and aerospace may also create opportunities for joint ventures and technology partnerships.
Real estate and urban development could add another investment channel. UAE companies with experience in large-scale property, infrastructure and master-planned development may find opportunities as Argentina looks to attract foreign capital.
The result could be a relationship driven as much by investment and technology as by traditional imports and exports.
What Happens Next?
Negotiating teams from the UAE and Argentina will now work on the details of the proposed CEPA.
The final agreement will determine exactly how tariffs, services, investment rules and other trade provisions will be handled. Until negotiations are completed, businesses should treat the announcement as the beginning of the process rather than an immediate change to existing trading conditions.
Still, the talks send a clear signal that both countries want a larger economic relationship. With major sectors such as energy, AI, mining, agribusiness and infrastructure already on the table, the potential scope is wide.
For companies operating within the UAE’s free zone ecosystem, the agreement could eventually create another pathway into South America. It could also bring more Argentine businesses into the UAE’s international trade network.
Sources
Emirates News Agency (WAM) — UAE, Argentina launch CEPA negotiations, issue joint statement on trade, investment
https://www.wam.ae/en/article/c2epg0y-uae-argentina-launch-cepa-negotiations-issue-joint
UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism — Free Trade Agreements
https://www.moet.gov.ae/en/-free-trade-agreements
UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism — UAE-Chile Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
https://www.moet.gov.ae/en/uae-chile-cepa
