Armenia’s president signs law ratifying UAE services agreement

Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan signed a law ratifying the government’s agreement with the United Arab Emirates on trade in services and investment on 10 November 2026, an official notice said. Armenia’s parliament had already approved its ratification.

Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan told lawmakers that the agreement expands each country’s commitments beyond those made under the World Trade Organization framework, increasing access to their services markets. He said it also provides for the mutual removal of barriers to trade in services and investment.

Expanded services commitments

Papoyan gave lawmakers the following comparison of the countries' commitments across service subsectors:

The added subsectors include computer and information technology services, scientific and technical consulting, equipment maintenance and repair, cartography, education, healthcare and postal services. Papoyan said the UAE retains restrictions on foreign participation in some sectors, while permitted participation is to increase gradually in some service subsectors.

From signing to ratification

Papoyan and UAE Foreign Trade Minister Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi signed the agreement in Abu Dhabi on 5 February 2026. Papoyan said its provisions on investment promotion and mutual protection are expected to encourage new business initiatives.

The same notice separately lists a law ratifying the Armenia–US strategic cooperation framework concerning the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP). That is a different instrument from the Armenia–UAE services and investment agreement.