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Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi detailed strong gains across all major categories of non-oil trade in the first six months of the year. Non-oil exports rose 11.7 percent to AED 359 billion while re-exports advanced 16.1 percent to AED 448 billion during the period. Imports climbed 13.5 percent to AED 393 billion, producing the overall total of AED 1.2 trillion according to figures released by the Ministry of Foreign Trade.
The minister linked the performance to the UAE’s expanding network of economic partnership agreements that now number 14 and cover markets equivalent to more than 40 percent of global GDP. These deals have lowered barriers for Emirati goods and attracted greater import flows from partner countries. The ministry has prioritised such pacts as a core element of its long-term trade strategy.
Al Zeyoudi attributed the results to alignment with the We the UAE 2031 vision that seeks to build a diversified and sustainable economy. “These historic results reflect the success of the UAE’s foreign trade policy and its alignment with the objectives of the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision,” he said. The minister added that sustained focus on non-oil sectors continues to deliver measurable gains in global commerce.
World Bank data shows the UAE maintains one of the highest trade-to-GDP ratios in the Middle East with trade exceeding 150 percent of gross domestic product in recent assessments. This openness has supported resilience against external shocks including supply chain disruptions that affected many economies after the COVID-19 pandemic. The first-half outcome positions the country to surpass full-year records set in previous periods.
The ministry’s statistics identified China, India, Saudi Arabia and the United States among the leading trading partners in the period. Trade flows with these nations benefited from both established routes and new agreements that eased market access. Al Zeyoudi noted that broadening the partner base remains a priority to minimise dependence on any single market or commodity.
Federal Customs Authority systems have recorded consistent month-on-month increases that contributed to the cumulative first-half total. Infrastructure upgrades at major ports and free zones have expanded handling capacity to accommodate higher volumes without significant delays. The minister indicated that ongoing investments will support further acceleration in the second half of the year.
