BRIC Team reports: Russia’s State Duma (lower house of the parliament) has ratified the agreement on trade in services and investment between the government of the Russian Federation and the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed in Moscow on August 7, 2025. The document’s objectives are to liberalize and facilitate trade in services and investment between the parties. The agreement provides for the creation of a free trade zone covering services and investment in accordance with Article V of the General Agreement on Trade in Services, and provides more favorable conditions for Russian companies to enter the UAE market and expand their presence.
Russian service providers and investors will be able to operate without restrictions in sectors such as computer services, research and development, technical testing, technical consulting, computer backup in aviation, ship and aircraft repair, rail transport, management services, educational services, and legal services. Furthermore, the agreement guarantees Russian companies the opportunity to open subsidiary banks, medical institutions, and news agencies with 100% Russian capital in specialized free zones in the UAE.
