Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced that the UAE's non-oil foreign trade exceeded AED1.7 trillion in the first half of 2025. Under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE has continued to solidify its position as a major trading nation and a key global trading partner.
According to Emirates News Agency, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum shared on the "X" platform that the UAE achieved a record growth of 24% in non-oil foreign trade compared to the same period in 2024. This growth marks a significant milestone, doubling the trade volume recorded in the first half of 2021. The UAE's trade has seen historic growth rates of 59.5% and 37.8% compared to the first halves of 2022 and 2023, respectively.
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) programme, launched in September 2021, has been instrumental in the UAE's trade success. To date, 28 agreements have been concluded, with 10 already in effect, facilitating access to markets with nearly 3 billion consumers. This strategic initiative has enhanced the UAE's non-oil exports, which now contribute 21.4% to its total non-oil foreign trade, up from 18.4% in 2024.
The UAE's non-oil exports reached AED369.5 billion in the first half of 2025, marking a growth rate of more than 44.7%. This achievement is more than double the value of non-oil exports in 2022 and represents a 210.3% increase from the first half of 2019. Key export destinations included Switzerland, India, Turkey, and Hong Kong-China, with significant growth rates recorded in these markets.
Re-exports also experienced growth, reaching AED389 billion, with notable increases compared to previous years. The UAE's imports of non-oil goods amounted to AED969.3 billion, reflecting a growth rate of 22.5% compared to the first half of 2024. Trade with top partners such as India, China, Switzerland, and Saudi Arabia continued to rise, with Switzerland experiencing a remarkable growth rate of 120%.
The UAE's trade strategy and agreements have positioned it as a key player in global trade, with ongoing growth and expansion in various international markets.
