The UAE’s ambitious comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) programme continues to reshape its trade landscape, with 26 agreements signed with key global partners as of Q1 2025.

The initiative, launched in September 2021, underscores the UAE’s commitment to strengthening its regional and international economic influence.

In 2025 alone, the UAE secured five new CEPAs with Malaysia, New Zealand, Kenya, Ukraine, and the Central African Republic, further expanding its trade network and unlocking opportunities for the country’s private sector across some of the world’s most dynamic economies, according to a WAM report.

Of the 26 agreements, six have officially entered into force, while 14 are undergoing technical and ratification procedures. Negotiations on another six agreements have been finalised, with signings expected soon.

UAE focused on deepening economic ties

The UAE is also in the final stages of CEPA negotiations with several major economies, most notably Japan, with talks expected to conclude before the end of 2025.

The results of four key agreements that have already taken effect highlight their tangible impact:

• UAE-India non-oil trade grew by 20.5 per cent, with UAE exports to India surging 75 per cent by the end of 2024.

• Trade with Turkiye increased by over 11 per cent.

• Indonesia saw growth exceeding 15 per cent.

• Georgia recorded a 56 per cent rise in trade, marking a significant boost in bilateral economic activity.

CEPA programme supports UAE’s long-term trade goals

The CEPA programme is playing a pivotal role in the UAE’s broader economic strategy, accelerating progress toward the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision.

The national agenda aims to increase the total value of non-oil foreign trade in goods to Dhs4tn and non-oil exports to Dhs800bn by 2031.

These agreements have had a positive impact across multiple sectors, including logistics, clean energy, advanced technology, financial services, green industries, agriculture, and sustainable food systems.

The UAE has announced lower fuel prices for April, continuing the downward trend seen in March after a price hike in February.

The revised rates, effective from April 1, are as follows:

Super 98 petrol will cost Dh2.57 per litre, down from Dh2.73 in March.

Special 95 petrol will be priced at Dh2.46 per litre, compared to Dh2.61 last month.

E-Plus 91 petrol will cost Dh2.38 per litre, down from Dh2.54 in March.

Diesel will be charged at Dh2.63 per litre, compared to Dh2.77 previously.

The UAE adjusts fuel prices monthly in line with global oil market fluctuations. The country deregulated fuel prices in 2015, linking them to international benchmarks.

Dubai-headquartered EDGNEX Data Centers by DAMAC, the digital infrastructure arm of DAMAC Group, has acquired Finland-founded data centre company Hyperco, reinforcing its presence in the European market.

Hyperco operates in Finland and Sweden, leveraging the region’s renewable energy sources, mature digital ecosystem, and high connectivity.

The company’s three co-founders and existing team will continue to lead operations through the next phase of growth.

Significant future capacity in the Nordics

“This acquisition aligns with our vision to develop strong partnerships, invest, and build scalable, world-class digital infrastructure,” said Hussain Sajwani, founder of DAMAC Group. “Hyperco brings a great team, deep market expertise, and a shared commitment to innovation, which will drive our success in the region. We plan to build significant future capacity in the Nordics and establish a strong foothold in the market.”

Aleksi Taipale, co-founder and CEO of Hyperco, described the acquisition as a transformative step. “Joining forces with EDGNEX and DAMAC Group empowers us to accelerate our mission of delivering large-scale, sustainable data centre infrastructure tailored for hyperscalers and AI-driven workloads.

“With our established footprint in Finland and Sweden, access to low-carbon energy, and focus on scalability, we are well-positioned to meet the growing digital demands of the region and beyond.”

US market entry with $20bn investment

This development follows EDGNEX’s major foray into the US market, where the company has committed an initial $20bn investment to develop data centres with a planned 2,000MW capacity over the next four years.

The investment, announced in January this year, could potentially double depending on future demand, market opportunities, and scalability.

The company’s US strategy focuses on key Sunbelt states, including Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, and the Midwest states such as Ohio, Illinois, Michigan and Indiana.

Commenting on the investment at the time, Sajwani said, “Our foray into the US market in data centres represents a significant milestone in our journey to build a global digital infrastructure platform that will empower businesses today and in the future. Leveraging our expertise in real estate and data centers, we aim to deliver best-in-class infrastructure that supports the next wave of cloud and AI growth.”

The first phase of EDGNEX’s US expansion includes the acquisition of land banks, partnerships with utilities, and joint ventures to establish an initial capacity of 500MW — one in the Sunbelt and one in the Midwest.

Strengthening European presence with Madrid facility

EDGNEX has been actively investing in Europe, including a EUR150m joint venture in Greece with Public Power Corporation (PPC) to develop up to 25 MW and a EUR400m commitment to build a 40 MW data centre in Madrid, Spain.

The company has also been expanding its European footprint, acquiring a prime 22,000 square metre site in Madrid for the development of a 40MW data centre in October last year. The facility, located in the Vicalvaro region, is set to commence operations by 2026.

Madrid is increasingly becoming a key data centre market outside of the traditional FLAPD hubs (Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Dublin), driven by strong demand for high-quality digital infrastructure.

EDGNEX focused on growing global footprint

Since launching in 2021, EDGNEX has expanded globally, supported by a team of over 100 professionals.

The company aims to deliver 55 MW in the Middle East by 2025, with a projected global capacity exceeding 3,000 MW.

By 2026, EDGNEX targets over 300MW of operational capacity, backed by a $3bn investment pipeline, including expansion in key Southeast Asian markets.

The company’s existing operational data centres include a 10MW facility in Saudi Arabia and a 5MW facility in Thailand, set to be operational by Q1 2025.

ASCER, the Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers’ Association held an international press conference within the framework of the CEVISAMA trade fair, earlier this year in March in Valencia, Spain.

Backed by ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones, the event was an opportunity to present the latest innovation and design trends from the exhibiting companies, before ending with the presentation of the 23rd edition of ASCER’s annual Tile of Spain Architecture and Interior Design Awards.

ASCER’s president, Vicente Nomdedeu Lluesma, gave the provisional industry overview for 2024, which closed on a slightly positive note in terms of production, domestic sales and employment.

Total turnover for the sector in 2024 reached €4.819bn, reflecting a moderate year-on-year drop of 0.9 per cent, with international markets accounting for 72 per cent, a continuation of the negative trend. Conversely, the domestic market experienced slight growth. Exports to 186 countries amounted to €3.479 billion (-2.4 per cent), whereas domestic sales grew by 3.1 per cent, reaching €1.34bn (provisional figures).

Geographically, Europe remains the primary market for Tile of Spain, with six countries ranking among the top ten export destinations and concentrating 51.1 per cent of all exports (40.2 per cent within the EU27). The United States leads the ranking of countries, with sales totalling €470.2m, 13.5 per cent of total exports.

At the press conference, ASCER’s president highlighted that “a significant part of our business is generated in highly demanding markets, where customers seek products with high levels of innovation, design, and quality. These are mature markets that appreciate the added value of Spanish ceramics”.

Nomdedeu reiterated the messages of the industry-wide communication campaign ‘The Secret Ingredient’, funded by the Generalitat Valenciana regional government: “Choosing Spanish ceramic tiles means opting for a material that meets the highest standards, produced with respect for the environment, people, ideas, and our customers. In Europe, we incorporate a secret ingredient that sets us apart and is not immediately visible: respect.”

Following the industry data presentation, Lutzía Ortiz and Ana Benavente from the Trends Observatory of the Institute of Ceramic Technology (ITC by its Spanish initials), reviewed the latest design proposals from the Tile of Spain companies participating in CEVISAMA. They placed particular emphasis on how Spanish ceramic tiles adapt to consumer needs by offering design, versatility, and functionality.

Next up on the agenda was the presentation of the Tile of Spain Architecture and Interior Design Awards. Currently in their twenty-third edition, these awards hold a firmly consolidated position in the fields of architecture and interior design. For this latest edition, the Tile of Spain Awards were sponsored by PortValencia, Torrecid and PwC España, and also received the backing of the Generalitat Valenciana’s Regional Ministry of the Treasury and the Economy.

• All the details, infographics, trends, and photos from the press conference are available at https://tileofspain.com/dossier/cvsm-2025/
• Information on the winning projects, images, reports, and further details can be accessed on the Tile of Spain Awards website at www.premioceramica.com

From March 30, Eid Al Fitr celebrations are planned across the UAE.

Here are some places where you can watch fireworks and take part in events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi over the Eid break.

Dubai is gearing up for a spectacular Eid Al Fitr celebration with extended hours at Global Village and fireworks lighting up the sky across multiple locations.

Festivities and fireworks at Global Village

From March 28 to April 6, Global Village will host a series of festive attractions, cultural performances, and live entertainment.

During the first three days of Shawwal, the park will remain open from 4pm to 1am, offering visitors an extended opportunity to explore its vibrant shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences.

One of the main highlights will be the breathtaking nine-night fireworks show, taking place daily from March 28 to April 5.

During Ramadan nights, the display will begin at 10pm, shifting to 9pm from the first day of Eid (March 30).

The grand festivities will culminate with a much-anticipated concert by Assala Nasri on April 6.

Fireworks at destinations in Dubai

For those staying in the UAE over the long Eid weekend, there are plenty of other spots across Dubai to catch dazzling fireworks.

1. Nessnass Beach: Visitors can enjoy a culinary experience with fireworks at 8pm on the first day of Eid.
2. Dubai Parks and Resorts: Riverland Dubai will feature fireworks at 9:30pm on the first two days of Eid.
3. Hatta: Eid celebrations extend to the mountains, with an 8pm fireworks show on the first day of Eid.
4. Bluewaters & The Beach, JBR: Fireworks will light up the sky at 9pm on the second day of Eid.

Events in Dubai

Eid Al Fitr parade in JLT: A parade of drummers and performers will take place in JLT on the first day of Eid Al Fitr.

The family-friendly event will take place from 4pm to 6pm, starting at Cluster D Promenade Level, winding its way through JLT Park Gate 1 and Gate 2, before ending by the fountain area.

There will be sweet treats for spectators, too. The event is free to attend but registration is encouraged on the Jumeirah Lakes Towers website.

Live entertainment at City Walk: For the first three days of Eid Al Fitr, this Dubai shopping destination will host free musical acts, including Lebanese singer Amanda Maalouf and the retro-focused Cassette Band. Performances will take place in the fountain area and start at 5pm each evening.

There will also be traditional performances by an Emirati troupe on the first and second day of Eid in the courtyard and fountain area.

Souk Madinat Jumeirah: Souk Madinat Jumeirah will host a celebration that honours UAE heritage and culture during the first three days of Eid, from 4pm to 8pm. Expect roaming traditional bagpipes, while Arabic coffee and dates will be served at the Amphitheatre.

Read: Eid Al Fitr shopping: Dubai’s Great Online Sale returns with up to 95% off

Fireworks in Abu Dhabi

Yas Bay Waterfront will host fireworks for all three days of Eid, starting at 9pm.

Guests can watch free of charge, but there is also the option to book surrounding restaurants, including include Daikan, Hunter & Barrel, Asia Asia, Barbossa and Paradiso, for a more comfortable viewing experience.

Free events in the emirate

Airship Orchestra at Galleria Mall Al Maryah Island: An interactive installation by Melbourne studio Eness, which features 16 inflatable sculptures embedded with motion sensors that emit light and sound in response to passers-by, will be on the Promenade at the Galleria Mall Al Maryah Island until April 20.

The sculptures in Airship Orchestra are up to six metres tall and a choir will “compose” a new score each night for them.