Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Wednesday, Mar 04, 2026

UAE An Exception In Global Trade, Economy: Mohammed Bin Rashid

UAE An Exception In Global Trade, Economy: Mohammed Bin Rashid

The UAE's foreign non-oil trade created another record in the first nine months of 2022, totalling over AED1.6 trillion, a rise of 19 percent compared to the same period in 2021.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said that despite the predictions of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) of a 3.5 percent decline in international trade this year, the UAE achieved a growth of 19 percent in the first nine months of the year.

He also expects the country's foreign trade to grow to AED2.2 trillion by end of 2022.

“The UAE is an exception in global trade and economy, as well as in services, infrastructure and international relations,” he said, expressing optimism for a strong new year.

A report by the Ministry of Economy on the country's non-oil foreign trade for the first nine months of this year showed that non-oil exports maintained their strong performance during this period, amounting to AED275 billion, an increase of nine percent compared to the same period in 2021, and an increase of 43 percent, 53 percent, 73 percent and 99 percent compared to the same period in 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, said that the outcomes achieved by the country's non-oil foreign trade confirm the success of the commercial and economic policies adopted by the UAE, guided by the forward-looking vision of its leadership.

He also noted that the economic developments that took place under the framework of the Projects of the 50 have strengthened the country's foreign trade performance, due to accelerating the pace of signings of trade agreements and growing partnerships with global markets, adding that the strategic location of the UAE as a logistics gateway allows access to the region's markets, which have also supported this process.

“Today, we are seeing a new achievement to be added to the country's foreign trade sector, boosting its prominent stature on the world trade map,” Al Zeyoudi further added.

Emirati re-export, import indexes

Trade data for the first nine months of 2022 showed that the total value of re-exports was AED456 billion, an increase of 19 percent compared to the same period in 2021, and 54 percent compared to the same period in 2020 while imports exceeded AED906 billion, an increase of 22.2 percent compared to the same period in 2021.

The report also noted that the re-exportation of goods helped achieve positive results that strengthened the UAE's stature on the world trade map, as it is one of the most important commercial centres that support the flow of goods to and from international markets.

Monthly performance of Emirati non-oil trade

The monthly performance of the UAE's non-oil foreign trade sector is witnessing strong growth this year, and the country recorded a value of AED202.9 billion in March, and AED204.2 billion in September. The UAE's non-oil trade could reach a value of AED2.2 trillion in 2022 and 2023.

Quarterly performance of Emirati non-oil trade

Non-oil foreign trade achieved over AED583 billion during the third quarter of 2022, an increase of 11 percent compared to the second quarter of this year, and an increase of 23 percent compared to the third quarter of 2021.

In the third quarter of 2022, Emirati exports continued their positive performance to achieve nearly AED100 billion, an increase of 11 percent compared to the second quarter of this year, and a rise of 12 percent compared to the third quarter of 2021.

Re-exports in the UAE amounted to AED160 billion, an increase of six percent compared to the second quarter of 2022, and an increase of 17 percent compared to the third quarter of 2021.

The UAE's imports amounted to AED326 billion, an increase of 13 percent compared to the second quarter of 2022, and an increase of 29 percent compared to the third quarter of 2021.

Trade partners

The report highlighted the fact that China is on top of the list of the UAE's trading partners, followed by India, Saudi Arabia, the United States (US), Iraq, and Türkiye.

They were followed by India, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Turkey, Hong Kong – China, and Oman as the top recipients of the UAE's non-oil exports during the first nine months of 2022.

As for the UAE's imports, China, India, the US, Japan, Türkiye, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia come at the top of this list.

The report pointed out that non-Arab Asian countries are the main and first partners in the non-oil trade of the UAE during the first nine months of 2022, which account for 39 percent of the country's non-oil trade, 38 percent of its exports, 29 percent of re-exports, and 44.4 percent of the UAE non-oil imports.

While the European countries came in second place, they were followed by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the non-Arab African countries, the other Arab countries, and the group of American countries.

UAE-India trade exchange under CEPA

As the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and India came into force from May to September 2022, mutual trade exchange reached AED79 billion, an increase of 23 percent compared to the same period in 2021, an increase of 133 percent compared to 2020.

Non-oil exports to India amounted to about AED20 billion, an increase of 12 percent compared to the same period in 2021, and over 154 percent and 112 percent compared to the same period in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
No Verified Confirmation of Ronaldo Departure Linked to Iran Conflict or AFC Suspension
No Verified Evidence of Israeli Intelligence Arrests in Qatar or Saudi Arabia
Drone Attack Forces Temporary Shutdown of Saudi Arabia’s Largest Oil Refinery
Israel Intensifies Air Campaign in Tehran as Iran Expands Regional Retaliation
Iranian Strikes Escalate Middle East Conflict, Drawing Saudi Arabia Closer to Wider War
No Verified Confirmation of Drone Strike on King Fahd Causeway Amid Regional Tensions
No Verified Evidence Saudi Crown Prince Is Seeking to Weaken Israel Amid Regional Tensions
Reports Emerge of Drone Strike Near US Embassy in Saudi Arabia as Americans Told to Shelter
Saudi Arabia Weighs Strategic Options as Tensions With Iran Intensify
Iran Expands Strikes on Saudi and Qatari Infrastructure, Opening a New Front in Gulf Conflict
Western Navies Sound Alarm as Russian Shadow Tankers Transit NATO Waters in Defiance of Sanctions
U.S. Embassy in Riyadh Struck by Drones Amid Escalating Iran Conflict
Imola Emerges as Standby Venue if Bahrain or Saudi Arabia Grands Prix Are Cancelled
Uncertainty Clouds $24 Billion Gulf Investment Linked to Paramount–WBD Deal
Middle East Strikes Disrupt Qatar LNG, Saudi Refining and Israeli Energy Fields
Gulf States Signal Possible Collective Action Over Iran’s Escalating Strikes
Saudi Arabia Summons Iranian Ambassador After Cross-Border Attacks
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Drones Targeting Ras Tanura Oil Refinery as Conflict Escalates
Saudi Arabia Clarifies It Supported Diplomacy With Iran, Not Military Escalation
Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Confer on Escalating Iran Crisis
Drone Strike Forces Shutdown of Saudi Arabia’s Largest Oil Refinery
Saudi Arabia Signals Harder Line on Iran as Regional Conflict Deepens
Strikes in Qatar and Saudi Arabia Pull Energy Infrastructure Deeper Into Expanding Middle East Conflict
U.S. and Israel Intensify Strikes on Iran as Conflict Expands to Lebanon and Gulf States
Violent Pro-Iranian Protesters Storm U.S. Consulate in Karachi
Missile Debris Sparks Fires at Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port Near Palm Jumeirah
Iran Strikes U.S. Fifth Fleet Headquarters in Bahrain Amid Wider Gulf Retaliation
Emerging Saudi–Turkish Alignment Draws Attention as Potential Strategic Challenge for Israel
Saudi Arabia Unveils $100 Billion Technology Investment Fund to Accelerate Post-Oil Diversification
Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Firm Commitment to Two-State Solution in Renewed Diplomatic Push
Saudi Arabia Launches Central Kitchen in Gaza to Deliver 24,000 Meals a Day
Saudi Arabia Announces $346 Million Support Package for Yemen in Renewed Humanitarian Push
Saudi Investors Increase US Equity Exposure Amid Domestic Market Weakness
Saudi Arabia Unveils Major Desert Gas Development in Strategic Shift Toward Diversified Energy Growth
Satellite Images Indicate Increased Aircraft Presence at Saudi Airbase Hosting US Forces
Telephone Diplomacy Sparks Tensions Between Two Key US Allies After Trump Intervention
Asian LPG Prices Surge After Damage Forces Saudi Aramco Export Disruptions
Saudi Arabia Unveils $100 Billion AI Infrastructure Fund to Challenge US and China
Saudi Stocks Close Lower as Tadawul All Share Index Falls 1.28 Percent
Saudi Arabia Launches Smart Mapping System to Enhance Pilgrim Experience at Holy Sites
Cristiano Ronaldo Acquires 25 Percent Stake in Saudi-Owned Spanish Club Almería
U.S.–Saudi Relations Balance Transactional Deal-Making with Expanding Strategic Ambitions
Israel’s President Herzog Signals Cautious Message on Saudi Ties at UAE Iftar in Tel Aviv
United States and Saudi Arabia Strengthen Security Ties with Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Exercise
Saudi Arabia Responds to Israel–UAE Moves in Somalia as Regional Rivalries Intensify
Saudi Arabia Showcases Expanding Defense Ambitions at World Defense Show 2026
SECRETARY RUBIO on IRAN: Iran poses a very great threat to the United States, and has for a very long time.
Larry Summers, the former U.S. Treasury Secretary, is resigning from Harvard University as fallout continues over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
U.S. stocks ended higher on Wednesday, with the Dow gaining about six-tenths of a percent, the S&P 500 adding eight-tenths of a percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq climbing roughly one-and-a-quarter percent.
Nvidia posted better than expected results for the January quarter on Wednesday and forecast current quarter revenue above market estimates.
×