Latest news with #Cepa
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
EU, Indonesia strike political agreement to advance free trade deal
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said his nation and the EU are "setting a right example". BRUSSELS - A political agreement was reached to advance the EU-Indonesia free trade deal, said European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on July 13. The trade deal – dubbed Cepa, which stands for Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement – will create more opportunities in key industries such as agriculture and the automotive sector, Dr von der Leyen added. 'There is a lot of untouched potential in our trade relationship and therefore, this agreement comes at the right time because the new agreement will open new markets,' she said at a press conference with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Mr Prabowo added: 'We consider Europe to be very important to us. That's why we would like to see more European presence and more European participation in our economy. 'I think that in this era of instability or confusion, we are setting a right example.' REUTERS
Business Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
EU, Indonesia strike political agreement to advance free trade deal
[BRUSSELS] A political agreement was reached to advance the EU-Indonesia free trade deal, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday (Jul 13). The trade deal, dubbed Cepa for Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, will create more opportunities in key industries such as agriculture and the automotive sector, von der Leyen added. 'There's a lot of untouched potential in our trade relationship, and therefore this agreement comes at the right time because the new agreement will open new markets', she said at a press conference with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Said Subianto: 'We consider Europe to be very important to us. That's why we would like to see more European presence and more European participation in our economy. I think that in this era of instability or confusion, we are setting a right example.' Reuters
The National
6 days ago
- Business
- The National
President Sheikh Mohamed meets Azerbaijan leader as economic partnership agreed
President Sheikh Mohamed on Wednesday held talks in Abu Dhabi with Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, as the countries agreed a major trade deal aimed at spurring economic growth. The leaders discussed efforts to bolster bilateral ties in key sectors such as the economy, investment, food security, renewable energy and environment at Qasr Al Shati, as part of Mr Aliyev's working visit to the Emirates. They were present as a comprehensive economic partnership was signed under a strategic relationship in place between the countries. Sheikh Mohamed described the agreement as "a significant milestone in UAE-Azerbaijan relations", state news agency Wam reported. Th partnership was signed by Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Mikayil Jabbarov, Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan. It aims to boost private sector collaboration, strengthen supply chains and support entrepreneurs and businesses to expand their operations. The Cepa seeks to build on years of close co-operation between the countries, with non-oil trade increasing 43 per cent year-on-year to reach $2.4 billion in 2024. The UAE is the leading Arab investor in Azerbaijan, with contributions exceeding $1 billion. The Emirates has 27 Cepa agreements in place as part of a drive to diversify its economy and open up opportunities for UAE businesses around the globe. Key talks Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Aliyev also exchanged views on a range of regional and international issues, underlining the importance of joint efforts to promote peace, stability and security. Mr Aliyev thanked Sheikh Mohamed for his commitment to furthering bilateral relations and spoke of the significance of joint projects in accelerating progress in Azerbaijan. The UAE and Azerbaijan have also worked closely to safeguard the environment. The two countries were the hosts of Cop28 and Cop29, respectively, the two most recent UN climate conferences. The meeting was attended by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of Supreme Council for National Security; Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade; Ahmed Al Sayegh, Minister of State; Dr Ahmed Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the President's Office for Strategic Affairs and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office; Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed Al Blooshi, UAE ambassador to Azerbaijan; and several senior officials. Also in attendance were members of the delegation accompanying President Aliyev.
The Star
03-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Forestry corp enlists longhouses in fight to save wildlife, plants
Sarawak Forestry Corporation officers using posters to educate longhouse residents on protected wildlife species. Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) is working with the Kelawit community in Tatau to help protect endangered birds, animals and plants. As part of the initiative, SFC is distributing educational posters to longhouses in the area. These posters feature the names and images of Sarawak's unique wildlife, including rare and endangered species. In a post on its social media platforms, SFC stated that raising awareness of these species is a vital first step in preventing hunting, illegal trade and unintentional harm. 'Every plant and animal has a role in keeping our forests, rivers and our lives in balance.' 'These posters are a reminder that conservation is not just for parks or rangers; it is for all of us. 'Let us protect our wildlife, not only because the law says so but because it is part of who we are,' it said. SFC also launched its communication, educational and public awareness (Cepa) programme in Rh Jampa, Nanga Belungai in Tatau, which aims to raise awareness of Sarawak's totally protected and protected species under the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998. 'With the community, we aim to protect our precious wildlife and plants, ensuring a balanced ecosystem for future generations,' it said. Additionally, SFC's Beyond Timber Carnival 2025 makes its comeback championing non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to enhance rural livelihoods. 'Through Cepa and Beyond Timber Carnival, we take a firm stand in promoting conservation through education, and sustainable use through collaboration. 'Let this be the year we protect, restore and reimagine our relationship with the forest in unity, together,' it said.
The National
31-05-2025
- Business
- The National
UAE-Serbia trade to accelerate as Cepa comes into effect
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and Serbia came into force on Saturday, as the Emirates continues to strengthen its trade relations globally. The UAE's 10th Cepa is expected to boost trade and investment flows, and remove or significantly reduce tariffs, which will all lay the foundations for enhanced co-operation across a spectrum of critical industries, the Ministry of Foreign Trade said in a statement on Saturday. The deal is also leading to projections that bilateral trade between the two nations will contribute around $351 million to the UAE's gross domestic product by 2031, it added. The UAE is Serbia's leading trading partner in the Gulf, accounting for approximately 55 per cent of its total trade with the region in 2023, according to government data. The UAE-Serbia Cepa is another "new chapter in our economic relations, creating new avenues for collaboration, investment and trade that will benefit both our nations", Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, said in the statement. "Through this agreement we are committed to unlocking significant opportunities that will create jobs, strengthen supply chains and facilitate a thriving environment for businesses in both countries," he added. Cepas that the UAE has already signed with nations from Colombia to Australia have contributed Dh135 billion ($36.8 billion) to the country's non-oil trade, an increase of 42 per cent compared with the previous year, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said previously. The UAE's non-oil foreign trade hit a record Dh3 trillion last year − up 14.6 per cent year-on-year − as the country continues to diversify its economy and forges closer trade ties with countries around the world. The Cepa programme is key for the UAE's economic growth. The Arab world's second largest economy aims to boost its gross domestic product to $800 billion by 2030, with a target of more than $1.1 trillion in total non-oil trade by 2031. Overall, the UAE has concluded 27 deals as part of the Cepa initiative. In 2025 alone, and counting Serbia's, the UAE has signed seven new deals with Malaysia, New Zealand, Kenya, Ukraine, Central African Republic, Costa Rica and Mauritius. The UAE and EU are also in discussions for a Cepa, with both sides moving closer to an agreement, Maros Sefcovic, EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, told The National this week. The UAE's Cepa with Serbia is projected to further boost non-oil trade between the two countries, which hit about $121.4 million in 2024, twice that compared to 2021 levels, according to government data. Serbia is positioned as a key partner for the UAE, with its diverse economy and strategic location providing a vital gateway into Eastern Europe and the Balkans. "The Cepa is expected to not only enhance trade but also increase private sector collaboration and promote investments in priority sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, logistics and technology," the statement said. The bilateral relationship has been further strengthened by increasing flows of FDI [foreign direct investment], which has been directed towards high-growth sectors, enhancing shared economic interests."
