DUBAI: During the first half of 2025, the UAE marked an extraordinary milestone in its non-oil foreign trade, crossing AED1.7 trillion in total value with a striking growth rate surpassing 24.5 per cent.
The performance outshines the global average trade growth—approximately 1.75 per cent—by over 14 times, spotlighting the nation’s dynamic economic blueprint and robust policy execution.
Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, shared these updates recently, underscoring that strategic, long-term planning and forward-thinking governance have shaped these record results.
Expressing his appreciation for the vision of the UAE’s leadership and the drive of the nation’s business community, Al Zeyoudi attributed the historic growth to the synergy of strong government policy and business innovation.
Imports rise 22.5%
A significant factor in the UAE’s success lies in its evolving web of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs). According to Al Zeyoudi, the UAE has wrapped up negotiations on 28 CEPAs to date, with 10 already active, and at least three more likely to be finalised this year.
These agreements have been key in opening fresh channels for Emirati goods and investors, driving expansion and diversification in international commerce.
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He also praised the country’s integrated economic system and world-class logistics infrastructure—vital ingredients in the UAE’s emergence as a truly global trade nexus.
Imports leaped 22.5 per cent, reinforcing the nation’s international re-export powerhouse status. The re-export sector alone delivered growth of 14 per cent, nearing AED 389 billion in value—clear evidence of the UAE’s leading role within global supply networks.
Targeting new markets
Non-oil exports powered ahead, nearly tripling over the past five years to approach AED370 billion—a testament to sustained industrial investment and the transition from re-exporting toward direct exporting. Local exports now make up over 21.4 per cent of the nation’s total foreign trade, reflecting the successful rollout of the National Industrial Strategy.
Strategic targeting of new markets through CEPAs and greater support for homegrown industries have further diversified trade activity. Al Zeyoudi pointed to remarkable increases with key partners: trade with India surged by almost 34 per cent, while flows with Türkiye jumped by over 40 per cent.
These leaps showcase the UAE’s outward-looking trade philosophy and its readiness to seize opportunities in a competitive global marketplace.
At the heart of this formidable trade performance is the UAE’s dual focus on opening gateways for producers and attracting foreign direct investment. By combining international outreach with homegrown ambition, the country has set itself apart as a beacon for trade, industrial innovation, and economic resilience in the region.
