India, UAE Target $100B Non-Oil, Non-Metals Trade by 2030

• India and UAE aim for $100 billion in non-oil, non-precious metals trade by 2030.
• CEPA discussions focus on pharmaceuticals, ayurveda, and regulatory facilitation.
• Bilateral trade nears $100 billion, with non-oil exports growing 25.6% annually.

India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have set an ambitious goal of $100 billion in non-oil, non-precious metals trade by 2030, as reported by India’s commerce ministry on 1 September 2025. This target was reconfirmed at a meeting between Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and UAE’s Minister of Foreign Trade, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, to assess the CEPA implementation with an effective date of 2022.

The ministers expressed their mutual desire to enhance bilateral economic cooperation in light of global uncertainties and challenges, and Goyal drew attention to the strength of the Indian economy.The meetings recognized the potential to further improve trade in pharmaceuticals and healthcare against the backdrop of geopolitical challenges.

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The UAE committed to expediting regulatory pathways for Indian pharmaceutical companies to bring their products to market. India, for its part, welcomed being a regular target of inspections and audits by the UAE. Both sides also identified potential in traditional medicine, including ayurvedic products.

Two-way trade, including oil, is projected to have totaled $99.7 billion in 2024-25, with non-oil exports amounting to $27.4 billion, representing a compound annual growth rate of 25.6% since CEPA came into effect on 1 May 2022. The UAE was viewed as a gateway to showcase Indian exports in West Asia, Africa, and Europe, and in December 2024 a MoU was signed where India shall be the partner country for Gulf Food 2026 in Dubai.

The two parties agreed to meet to convene the CEPA Sub-Committee on Services within two months to address market access and regulatory obstacles in regard to services and agreed to share trade data in a timely manner