NZ-UAE CEPA: Seamless Payments for Kiwi Exporters & UAE Partners | Hubpay

A new era for UAE-New Zealand trade

The economic partnership between the United Arab Emirates and New Zealand has officially entered a new, exciting phase. On August 28, 2025, the New Zealand–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) officially entered into force, as confirmed by both the Emirates News Agency (WAM) and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This landmark free trade agreement is New Zealand’s first in the Middle East, marking a significant milestone for both nations.

With two-way non-oil trade reaching US805millionin2022andexpectedtotripletooverUS5 billion annually by 2032, the CEPA is a testament to the shared vision for sustainable economic growth. This new trade landscape creates a critical need for efficient and transparent financial solutions.

What the CEPA delivers & why payments matter

The CEPA is designed to make trade more accessible and competitive, with 98.5% of New Zealand's exports to the UAE now entering duty-free. This provides a major boost for key sectors like agri-food, renewable energy, and technology. For New Zealand and UAE businesses alike, this means a more predictable and open market.

While CEPA removes traditional trade barriers like tariffs, the practical challenge of moving money across borders remains. For businesses trading between the two nations, relying on traditional bank transfers can lead to costly and slow processes, with hidden fees and poor FX rates eroding profit margins. This is where a modern, fintech-driven payment solution becomes as vital as market access itself.

The Hubpay advantage: Built for Speed, Scale & Security

Hubpay is designed to bridge this gap, providing UAE and New Zealand businesses with the tools to manage international payments seamlessly.

• Named AED and NZD accounts in the UAE: Receive payments directly from your partners without the need for costly intermediaries. This simplifies reconciliation and ensures you retain more of your earnings.

• Zero Minimum Balance: Enjoy the flexibility of no minimum balance requirements, making Hubpay accessible for businesses of all sizes, from startups to established exporters.

• Instant Currency Conversion: Effortlessly convert funds from AED or USD into NZD, or any of our 150+ supported currencies, at competitive FX rates. Our real-time treasury tools give you full control over your foreign currency exposure.

• Secure & Regulated: Operate with confidence on a platform regulated under the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), ensuring bank-grade security for all your transactions.

This is especially beneficial for:

• Agri-exporters: Sending dairy, meat, fruit, and honey to the high-demand UAE market.

• Tech and Services Firms: Providing education, digital solutions, or renewable energy expertise.

• Manufacturers & Industrial Suppliers: Building efficient supply chains with partners in the Gulf.

• Small Businesses & Freelancers: Streamlining payments for a growing client base in the UAE.

Get started in 4 easy steps:

1. Create a Hubpay Business Account: Sign up quickly through our user-friendly digital platform.

2. Choose your plan: Select our Scale or Treasury plan based on your business needs.

3. Complete quick digital onboarding: Upload your relevant business documents via our secure portal.

4. Start transacting: Once verified, gain immediate access to your named AED/NZD accounts in day one and powerful tools to manage, convert, and send funds globally.

The CEPA has opened the door to new opportunities. Hubpay ensures your payments don't hold back your expansion into the UAE.

Ready to grow in the UAE? Talk to Hubpay today.