UAE Achieves Historic Milestone in Non-Oil Trade Exceeding $1 Trillion

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, has declared a significant economic achievement as the UAE's non-oil foreign trade surpasses $1 trillion for the first time in the nation's history. This milestone underscores the completion of a robust investment environment and enhances global confidence in the Emirati economy.

Record Figures Ahead of Schedule

According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Sheikh Mohammed stated that the non-oil trade volume reached approximately 3.8 trillion dirhams ($1.03 trillion), reflecting a 26.8% growth from the previous year. Non-oil exports amounted to 813.8 billion dirhams, showing an exceptional increase of 45.5%. He noted that these results align with the UAE Vision 2031 goals, with 95% of targets achieved five years ahead of schedule, indicating the resilience of the economy and a rapid growth trajectory.

Official Statements

Sheikh Mohammed remarked, "Our investment environment is comprehensive, our international partnerships have doubled, and our cooperation with the private sector has strengthened, solidifying global trust in the UAE." He added, "We commend our national teams, and our message to them is to intensify efforts and enhance partnerships with the private sector to build a better economic future."

Continued Growth Over the Years

In 2025, non-oil trade recorded a 27% increase compared to 2024 and a 44.3% rise from 2023, nearing double the levels seen in 2021 and more than double the figures from 2019.

Exports Leading Growth

By the end of 2025, non-oil exports contributed 21.6% to total non-oil trade, the highest percentage in the country's history. Exports also exceeded the targets set by the "We Are the UAE 2031" vision by over 13.8 billion dirhams, continuing their upward trend and surpassing three times the levels recorded in 2019.

Strategic Partners and Key Products

Exports to partner countries under comprehensive economic partnership agreements (14 countries) reached approximately 175.5 billion dirhams, growing by 18.2%, accounting for 21.6% of total exports. Key exported goods included gold and jewelry, aluminum, cigarettes, refined petroleum oils, ethylene polymers, copper wires, perfumes, and plastic products, collectively increasing by 64.5%.

Re-exports and Imports

Re-exports reached around 830.2 billion dirhams by the end of 2025, with a growth of 15.7%, while non-oil imports exceeded 2.1 trillion dirhams, driven by rising imports of gold, phones, cars, diamonds, and computers.

Exceptional Final Quarter

The last quarter of 2025 witnessed unprecedented performance, with non-oil trade exceeding one trillion dirhams in just three months, marking a growth of 33.1%. Non-oil exports reached 234.4 billion dirhams, equivalent to the total exports of 2019.