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Senior officials and business leaders convened this week at CEPA Connect: Bridging Business between the UAE and Australia to assess the impact of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which entered into force on October 1, on strengthening bilateral economic ties.
The event, jointly hosted by the Australia UAE Business Council, Aspen Medical, GHD Global and Aurora The Agency, examined CEPA’s scope across trade liberalisation, sustainability, education, innovation and cross-sector collaboration while removing virtually all tariffs and trade barriers.
Delivering the keynote, Ridwaan Jadwat described the CEPA as a “landmark agreement – Australia’s first-ever free trade agreement with a Middle Eastern country.” He added: “CEPA is also one of the most progressive free trade agreements Australia has negotiated. It recognises the unique and important contribution businesses make to trade and investment. It includes a historic first-of-its-kind First Nations chapter and chapters on women’s economic empowerment and the environment.”
Ellecia Saffron, founder and principal of Maysaffron and advisory board member of the Australia–UAE Business Council, said “CEPA’s success calls for close government–industry coordination to convert strategic intent into actionable trade and investment outcomes,” noting that “true delivery requires unified effort from government, industry and strategic connectors.”
A panel moderated by Craig Fitzgerald, group CEO of Aspen Medical, included Ambassador Jadwat, Professor Nahyan Al Helal, CEO of HMC Group, Dr Khalil Yousef, programme leader for Health Science at UOWD, and Tim Mawhood, ED of GHD Business Advisory, EMEA.
Panellists highlighted CEPA’s potential to accelerate green and renewable energy cooperation. Mawhood pointed to opportunities in solar, wind, battery storage, as well as sustainable aviation and maritime fuels. “I believe there are opportunities in sustainable fuels as both the UAE and Australia bring extensive experience,” he said.
“These include investments in both directions and the sharing of skills. CEPA creates a strategic corridor linking the two countries, especially with the UAE’s advantageous location as a vital aviation and shipping hub.”
CEPA connect panels
In healthcare, CEPA opens pathways for healthtech start-ups, remote monitoring solutions, workplace wellness and medical training.
Professor Al Helal said a UAE–Australia joint committee would help coordinate standards and licence compatibility. “The HMC Group partnering with a leading Australian healthcare solutions company like Aspen Medical signals our commitment to advancing CEPA’s vision for the region,” he said. “The establishment of a joint committee of experts will accelerate this vision and drive closer cooperation in healthcare and healthtech between the two countries.”
The discussion also referenced established success stories. “The University of Wollongong’s Dubai campus was established in 1993, pioneering educational partnerships between Australia and the UAE,” Dr Yousef said. “This semester, we welcomed a diverse cohort of students, 40 per cent of whom came from outside the UAE – demonstrating strong international demand for an Australian degree.”
Fitzgerald closed the session, noting CEPA’s role in economic diversification and innovation. “CEPA Connect underscores the shared commitment of both Australia and the UAE to economic diversification, innovation and inclusive growth, and its success lies in collaboration between both the private and public sectors.”
“CEPA cannot be just seen as a piece of paper. It must be a living reality,” Ambassador Jadwat said. “Frameworks within CEPA ensure a practical, sustainable, outcome-oriented approach to trade and investment between Australia and the UAE. CEPA has opened the door to vibrant trade relations for decades to come.”
The Australian government will continue promoting CEPA benefits to exporters and investors in the coming months, with enterprises and industry invited to engage in shaping future cooperation built on shared prosperity and innovation.
