By Staff Reporter
The UAE’s non-oil foreign trade rose sharply by 18.6% in the first quarter of 2025, reaching AED 835 billion, marking a continuation of the nation’s robust economic growth under the leadership of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister.
Non-oil exports led this surge with an unprecedented 41% year-on-year increase, hitting AED 177.3 billion—the highest growth rate recorded in the UAE’s history. This milestone pushed non-oil exports to account for over 21% of the country’s total non-oil foreign trade, outpacing imports and re-exports. Re-exports grew by 6% annually to AED 189.1 billion, while imports climbed 17.2% year-on-year to AED 468.6 billion, though slightly dipping 1.7% from the previous quarter.
Sheikh Mohammed highlighted that the UAE aims to reach AED 4 trillion in non-oil foreign trade by 2031 but expects to achieve this milestone within two years—four years ahead of schedule. In 2024, the nation’s GDP grew 4% to AED 1.77 trillion, with the non-oil sector contributing 75.5% to the economy.
Trade relations with the UAE’s top 10 partners expanded notably, growing 20.2% year-on-year. Key partnerships include a 31% rise with India, a 127% surge with Saudi Arabia, 8.3% growth with Turkiye, and 9.6% with China.
Under the sustained economic vision of the UAE’s leadership, the nation is achieving historic levels of economic stability and prosperity, with efforts focused on maintaining its global trade ambitions and long-term growth trajectory.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
