The Joint Committee of the Digital Economic Partnership Agreement (DEPA) has established a "joining working group" to officially launch the application for joining the United Arab Emirates.

The Digital Economic Partnership Agreement is the world's first international agreement on digital economic cooperation. It establishes common rules for digital trade, simplifies cross-border procedures, and helps companies expand their international markets.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Digital Development and News, and the Information and Communications Media Development Bureau jointly announced on Monday (June 30) that the Joint Working Group will be chaired by Singapore, including representatives of governments of the signatory countries of the Agreement, responsible for assessing whether the UAE complies with the standards of the Agreement on Accession.

Minister for Sustainable Development and Environment of Trade Relations Fu Haiyan said: "The UAE is the first Middle East economy to apply to join the agreement and Singapore's largest trading partner in the Middle East. Its participation will not only help promote the agreement to be more open, inclusive and innovative, but will also bring more cooperation opportunities to the two sides in the fields of digital trade and emerging technology."

This agreement was signed and initiated by Singapore, Chile and New Zealand in 2020. South Korea officially joined in May last year, becoming the first economy to become a member through the joining process. As of June this year, seven economies including China, Canada, and Peru have applied to join.