Title: Free Trade Agreement Between Israel and the UAE

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the commencement of a free trade agreement between Israel and the UAE, aimed at reducing or eliminating customs tariffs on approximately 96% of the goods traded between the two countries. This agreement will allow Israeli companies to participate in government tenders held by the UAE, according to the Israeli Foreign Ministry. Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, who signed the final approval for the customs arrangements under the trade agreement on Sunday, stated, "This will strengthen relations with the UAE, and Israel is working to normalize relations with more Arab countries." The two countries reached the agreement for the first time last May and pledged to enhance bilateral trade after normalizing relations in 2020 through a US-brokered deal.