UAE trade boom Forecast to Hit Targets Early

Updated June 15, 2025

The united Arab Emirates is experiencing a surge⁢ in UAE​ trade, positioning the nation to⁤ achieve its economic goals well ahead of schedule. Driven by robust non-oil exports and strategic ​partnerships, the country’s economic outlook ‍remains‍ strong.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al ⁣Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, ⁣highlighted ⁣the UAE’s continued progress across various⁤ sectors. He emphasized that the nation’s⁣ booming non-oil foreign trade is central to this growth, consistently ​breaking records.

In the first quarter of 2025, the UAE’s non-oil foreign trade grew by 18.6% year-on-year, reaching AED835 billion​ ($227.5 billion). Non-oil exports saw an ‌remarkable surge, increasing by 41% annually. This performance puts the UAE ⁣on track to ​reach its ⁣AED4‍ trillion ($1.1 trillion) non-oil⁤ foreign trade target by 2029, four years ‍ahead of ‌the‌ initial 2031 goal.

In 2024, the UAE’s GDP grew by 4%, reaching AED 1.77 trillion ($482 billion), with the non-oil sector contributing 75.5% to the national economy. ⁤This diversification underscores the country’s commitment⁣ to reducing its reliance on oil revenues‌ and fostering a lasting⁤ economic model.

⁤ ‌ “The UAE’s non-oil foreign trade⁤ saw growth of 18.6 per cent ⁣year-on-year in​ the first quarter of this year… Our goal⁤ to grow⁣ non-oil foreign trade to AED4tn ($1.1tn) by 2031 will be achieved within the next two years,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

The UAE’s non-oil‍ exports reached AED177.3 billion ($48.3 billion)⁣ in the first quarter of ‌2025, marking a 40.7% year-on-year increase. This growth propelled⁣ non-oil‍ exports to over 21% of the UAE’s ⁢total non-oil foreign trade, outpacing the growth of both imports and re-exports.

re-exports increased‌ by 6% annually, ‍reaching AED189.1 billion ⁣($51.5 billion). Imports grew by 17.2% year-on-year,reaching⁢ AED468.6 billion ($127.6 billion).Trade with the UAE’s top 10 trading⁢ partners expanded ⁢by 20.2% in the first quarter of 2025.

Notably, ​trade with India grew by ‌31%, while trade with Saudi Arabia more than doubled, increasing by 127%. Trade with Turkiye rose by 8.3%, surpassing previous records, and trade with China increased by 9.6%.These figures highlight⁢ the UAE’s strengthening⁢ economic ties with key global partners, further boosting its UAE trade position.

What’s next

Looking ahead, ⁣the UAE aims to further diversify its ‍economy and strengthen its position as a global trade hub. Continued investment in ⁣key sectors‍ and strategic partnerships are expected to ​drive sustained economic growth in the coming⁢ years, solidifying the​ UAE’s role in international commerce.