New Export Conditions from Armenia to UAE: Preferential Entry Regime to be Established

During a session of the National Assembly, Armenia's Minister of Economy, Gevorg Papoyan, presented the agreement on economic partnership between the Eurasian Economic Union and its member states, on one hand, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on the other, aimed at ratification. This agreement was signed in June 2025.

The goal of the agreement is to liberalize and simplify trade in goods between the parties, as well as to promote trade expansion and diversification, which will enhance the competitiveness of Armenian products in the Emirati market and increase the volumes of exports.

“The preferential export coverage from Armenia to the UAE will constitute 95 percent of our current exports,” he stated. According to Papoyan, during negotiations, all currently exported products were presented, of which 95 percent were approved, while 5 percent could not be included due to UAE legislation. Such products include tobacco substitutes, alcohol, and others. The Minister noted that the UAE does not provide any concessions for these products from any country.

As of 2023, out of 270 products exported from Armenia to the UAE, a preferential entry regime will be established for 217 products after the agreement comes into effect. As a result, Armenian exporters will be directly subsidized by an amount of 500,000 US dollars.

“This will provide us with a new competitive advantage, leading to an increase in export volumes; consequently, the subsidies will also increase indirectly,” he added, mentioning that currently, when Armenia exports goods to the UAE, the average customs duty rate is 6 percent, which will drop to 2.6 percent as a result of this agreement.

“In terms of agricultural products, the proposals from the Armenian side mainly include items that are of primary interest for export from Armenia, such as fresh fruits, strawberries, mineral waters, and live plants. Currently, the export volume of agricultural products from Armenia to the UAE is 1.5 million dollars, while our potential is 10 million dollars,” the minister clarified, indicating that a significant export potential is opening up.

Regarding industrial products, exports include aluminum foil, aluminum alloys, medical devices, radio-electronic, and radio-broadcasting equipment. According to the minister, the volume of exports for these products is approximately 10 million dollars, but the potential in this direction is 25-30 million dollars, and it is possible to triple export volumes.