By GCC Business Hub Staff Writer
The UAE continues to defy global economic trends with remarkable momentum in its non-oil foreign trade, showcasing its diversification success story. Under the strategic leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, the UAE’s economic engine is powering forward—delivering record-breaking results and setting ambitious new benchmarks.
In a strong start to 2025, the UAE’s non-oil foreign trade reached AED 835 billion in the first quarter alone—an 18.6% increase over Q1 2024. For comparison, the global average trade growth sits around just 2–3%, underscoring the UAE’s exceptional performance.
Non-oil exports emerged as the star of this surge, registering a staggering 40.7% year-on-year growth to AED 177.3 billion. This also marked a 15.7% rise from the previous quarter, driving exports to account for over 21% of total non-oil foreign trade for the first time in the nation’s history—outpacing both imports and re-exports in terms of growth.
Imports climbed to AED 468.6 billion, representing a 17.2% increase from Q1 2024, though they dipped slightly by 1.7% compared to Q4 2024. Re-exports also saw healthy growth, up 6% year-on-year to AED 189.1 billion.
“Driven by strategic planning and the relentless efforts of thousands of teams working across sectors, the UAE’s economy is experiencing an era of stability, growth, and global relevance,” said His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. “We are not just meeting our goals—we are exceeding them.”
Indeed, the UAE’s ambitious non-oil foreign trade target of AED 4 trillion by 2031 is now expected to be achieved within just two years, a remarkable acceleration of the national economic agenda.
Economic indicators back this optimism. The country’s GDP grew by 4% in 2024, reaching AED 1.77 trillion, with the non-oil sector contributing a commanding 75.5% to the total economy—a clear sign of the nation’s commitment to reducing reliance on hydrocarbons.
Trade relations with the UAE’s top partners also soared. Bilateral trade with India jumped 31%, while trade with Saudi Arabia more than doubled—soaring by 127%. Other key markets like Turkiye and China also recorded solid gains of 8.3% and 9.6%, respectively.
With trade growth from its top 10 partners outpacing that of other nations (20.2% vs. 16.9%), the UAE is solidifying its reputation as a premier global trading hub.
As Sheikh Mohammed noted, “The future is bright for the UAE. We are building it today through determination, innovation, and partnerships that span the globe.”
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