The OKA x UAE Trade Mission

In early October, Oliver and Zoe travelled to the United Arab Emirates on a trade mission that's opened up some seriously exciting possibilities for OKA's international growth plans. Our visit coincided with the launch of the Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which creates an efficient trade framework with tariff advantages for Australian-manufactured products entering the UAE and beyond. The timing couldn't have been better.

More on CEPA here

This trip confirmed something we've long suspected: the capability gap that OKA fills in Australia exists globally. The UAE isn't just another market. It's a major logistics and automotive hub that connects Asia, Europe, and Sub-Saharan Africa. For OKA, that geographic position makes it an ideal gateway into emerging markets where demand for durable, off-road capable vehicles is strong.

Between them, Oliver and Zoe have a combined 18 years of history in the UAE, and this trip reaffirmed their genuine respect and appreciation for the culture there. There's a boldness to how the UAE approaches opportunity, a willingness to think big and move decisively, that's inspiring to witness. It's a place that drives innovation, and that alignment of values makes it a natural fit OKA's international growth plans.

What's clear is this: the capability that makes OKA special in Australian terrain, that toughness, that modularity, that absolute refusal to quit in the worst conditions, translates globally and especially in a region like the UAE which share similar terrain to Australia. The vehicles currently operating in these environments simply can't match what a purpose-built OKA platform delivers.

This trip was about understanding the opportunity, building relationships, and reaffirming that OKA has a place on the global stage. The UAE moves fast and operates with serious ambition and global relevance which make it the perfect hub for international growth.

For everyone who's been part of the OKA journey, whether you own one, build them, or just love what they represent, this is a glimpse of where we're heading.

We're not just preserving an iconic Australian vehicle. We're taking it global.