UAE's CEPA Programme And Precious Metals Regulations Highlighted By Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi At DPMC

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, addressed the 13th Dubai Precious Metals Conference (DPMC), underscoring the UAE's growing influence in global gold and precious metals trade. He attributed this to the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) programme and a strong regulatory framework. These elements have significantly boosted the nation's role in international commerce.

The DPMC is a crucial gathering for industry stakeholders to collaborate on future growth strategies in the precious metals sector. Al Zeyoudi highlighted the UAE's dedication to maintaining high global standards in ethical practices. "Thanks to our strategic approach to foreign trade through the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement programme, coupled with our rigorous regulatory framework that maximizes security, integrity, and transparency in every transaction, we have established a trading environment that facilitates precious metals commerce from around the world within a framework of trust," he stated.

Al Zeyoudi emphasized the significant economic contributions of gold and precious metals to the UAE's non-oil trade. In 2024, gold valued at US$186 billion passed through the UAE, reinforcing its status as a key player in global supply chains. The nation now ranks as the second-largest gold hub worldwide, highlighting its market importance.

The UAE has implemented laws since 2020 that align with or exceed OECD guidelines for responsible mineral supply chains. These include mandatory anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) protocols, annual audits, and strict enforcement at entry points. Such measures ensure ethical and transparent trade practices.

Addressing conference themes like tariffs and tokenisation, Al Zeyoudi discussed technology's transformative potential in precious metals trading. Initiatives such as TradeTech and NextGen FDI leverage AI and blockchain to improve liquidity and accessibility for market participants, positioning the UAE at innovation's forefront.

The DPMC was organised by Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), bringing together global industry leaders to discuss trends, challenges, and innovations. Attendees explored technology's impact on traceability and responsible sourcing, essential for building trust among international traders.

Al Zeyoudi projected continued expansion of the UAE’s role alongside CEPA initiatives. The programme has led to 32 trade deals with 14 agreements active, creating new opportunities for trade and collaboration in precious metals and other sectors.

He stressed that the UAE’s legal framework has earned international trust by ensuring ethical trade practices aligned with top global standards. This robust system supports ongoing growth in precious metals commerce while maintaining transparency.

The conference served as a platform for discussing how technology can reshape trade flows within the sector. Industry experts engaged in dialogue about emerging trends and challenges while focusing on innovation-driven solutions for future growth.

With inputs from WAM