UAE businesses confident of international trade growth despite tariff woes
UAE businesses are notably confident in international trade growth, with 94% anticipating expansion despite global headwinds, according too a recent HSBC survey. Firms are proactively navigating uncertainty by using data and investing in supply chains to bolster their competitive edge. Although most businesses expect cost increases due to tariffs, they recognize avenues for opportunity within a dynamic trade habitat. Notably, regional trade ties with the Middle East, China, and Europe are increasing. News Directory 3 sources this report,emphasizing that UAE companies are well-prepared for the rapidly changing trade landscape,using strategies such as data analysis to adapt. Discover what’s next for international trade and how UAE businesses plan to leverage these trends.
UAE Businesses Confident in International Trade Growth Despite Global headwinds
updated June 6, 2025
A recent HSBC survey indicates that businesses in the United Arab Emirates remain optimistic about international trade prospects. According to the 2025 Global Trade Pulse Survey, 94% of UAE companies anticipate growth in cross-border trade in the near future.
Despite global economic uncertainty and rising costs from tariffs, UAE firms are proactively implementing enhanced planning strategies and digital solutions. These measures aim to maintain a competitive edge in the evolving trade landscape.
The HSBC survey, which gathered insights from over 5,700 international firms across 13 markets, reveals that two-thirds of corporations worldwide have already experienced cost increases due to tariff and trade uncertainty. The survey suggests these challenges may intensify.
In contrast, UAE companies express significant optimism regarding their future international trade prospects. While they anticipate cost impacts in both the short and long term, they have not yet experienced the pronounced effects felt by many global counterparts.
Deyana Cherneva, head of Global Trade Solutions, Middle East North Africa and Türkiye, HSBC Bank Middle East, said that UAE corporations have strategies ready to respond to the rapidly evolving trade landscape. She added that their plans include using data, investing in supply chains, and increasing reliance on the Middle East, China, and europe corridors.
cherneva also noted that geopolitical and geoeconomic shifts have been a mainstay across decades, and resilient businesses know how to adapt and respond. she said that it is encouraging to see that 75% of corporations in the UAE plan to use the trade uncertainty as an possibility to evolve and explore new opportunities.
What’s next
The UAE’s focus on regional trade and strategic planning positions it for continued growth in the international market. Businesses are expected to continue leveraging data and technology to navigate challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities in key markets.