THE SOUTH Australian minister for trade is leading a delegation to Dubai to capitalise on Australia’s free trade agreement with the UAE and an increase in air freight capacity between the two countries.

The state government said SA businesses have been taking advantage of additional capacity introduced in October 2024 as Emirates relaunched its daily service between Adelaide and Dubai.

The return of the daily flights unlocked more than 200 tonnes of weekly direct air freight capacity between the two cities. The SA government said the capacity has enabled local businesses to enter the Middle Eastern market “quicker, cheaper and with fewer administrative burdens”.

The latest ABS statistics, cited by the government, suggest the UAE has overtaken Singapore as a destination for South Australian products, with total exports to the country now worth $254 million to the state economy each year.

Air freight activity has increased against the backdrop of developments in Australia’s trade relationship with the UAE; the two nations signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in November 2024.   

The CEPA eliminates tariffs on more than 99% of Australian exports to the UAE. It is expected to take effect in the middle of 2025.

The delegation led by minister Szakacs aims to “help unlock opportunities for South Australian businesses” as the CEPA comes into force. The delegation will meet with investors and businesses in industries such as aviation, agribusiness and technology.

“While we’re buoyed by the recent expansion of air freight options direct into the Middle East, we know the job is far from over and we need to strike while the iron is hot,” Mr Szakacs said.

“That’s why I’m leading a delegation which departs this evening, to make sure that the state puts its best foot forward ahead of the bilateral Australia-UAE trade agreement coming into force later this year.

“The UAE is an important partner for South Australia and connects us with the broader Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and Europe.”

The delegation agenda includes key meetings in Dubai with Emirates, Leader Healthcare and ClimaGulf.

The delegation will then continue to India, meeting with food and agriculture importers, as well as officials from tech, space and defence companies to pursue trade and investment opportunities for SA.