Page 380 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - APRIL 2025 (Part 1)

4/23/25, 3:28 PM Under the leadership of the President, we will sustain and enhance the achievements: Mohammed bin Rashid – The Gulf Time Ne…
uncertainties. Comprehensive foreign trade (goods and services) grew by 49 percent from 2021, reaching AED5.23 trillion
($1.424 trillion) in 2024.
Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, affirmed, “Driven by visionary leadership and a
commitment to economic openness, innovation, and global integration, the UAE has solidified its status as a global trade hub.
Ranking 11th in merchandise exports and 13th in services exports, with a trade surplus of AED492.3 billion, the UAE achieved
merchandise exports of AED2.22 trillion and services exports of AED646.6 billion, including AED191 billion in digital services,
reflecting 30 percent growth and leadership in future-oriented sectors.”
Al Zeyoudi added, “These achievements stem from national efforts, flexible policies, and strong international partnerships.
The UAE will continue to enhance its global role by facilitating trade, expanding collaborations, and integrating with global
value chains.”
The UAE achieved a trade balance surplus of AED492.3 billion (US$134 billion) in 2024, down slightly from AED573.1 billion
in 2023, reflecting stability amid global challenges. Exports totaled AED2.8619 trillion, against imports of AED2.3696 trillion,

per 2021–2024 statistics.
The UAE climbed from 17th to 11th globally in merchandise exports and from 18th to 14th in imports between 2021 and 2024,
contributing 2.5 percent to global merchandise exports and 2.2 percent to imports. Exports reached $603 billion (AED2.2153
trillion), and imports totalled $539 billion (AED1.9802 trillion) in 2024.
The UAE ranked 21st globally in digital services exports, valued at $52 billion (AED191 billion) in 2024, up from $37 billion in
2021 and $48 billion in 2023. Total digital services trade reached $94 billion (AED345 billion), comprising one-third of services
trade. Digital services imports, at $42 billion (AED154 billion), also ranked 21st, contributing 1.1 percent to global imports,
reinforcing the UAE’s role as a technology hub.
Services trade totalled AED1.036 trillion (US$282 billion) in 2024, with exports of AED646.6 billion (62.4 percent) and imports
of AED389.4 billion. Information services grew by 14 percent, tourism by 13 percent, computer services by 12 percent,
financial services by 9 percent, and transport, intellectual property, and insurance services by 8 percent each, contributing
26.4 percent to global trade, the highest share since 2005.
The UAE accounted for 41.4 percent of the Middle East’s US$1.5 trillion merchandise exports, with regional exports growing
by 3.7 percent and services by 4.1 percent in 2024. Globally, the UAE contributed 2 percent to services exports and 1.3

percent to imports, with service exports of US$176 billion (AED646.6 billion) and imports of US$106 billion (AED389.4 billion).
The UAE advanced from 17th to 13th in services exports and from 19th to 21st in services imports between 2021 and 2024,
with services comprising 20 percent of total trade.
In 2024, merchandise sectors grew, with office equipment and telecommunications at 10 percent, electronics at 6 percent, and
agricultural products, food, and clothing at 3 percent each. Industrial goods rose by 2 percent, and chemicals and textiles by 1
percent, while fuel and mining products fell by 7 percent, iron and steel by 6 percent, and automobiles by 1 percent. Global
merchandise exports grew by 2 percent, reaching US$24.43 trillion.
The UAE’s achievements reflect its strategy of innovation and diversification, positioning it to navigate a forecasted 0.2
percent decline in global merchandise trade in 2025. Contributing to a 1.6 percent regional GDP growth in 2024, with
projections of 3.2 percent in 2025 and 3.5 percent in 2026, the UAE remains resilient. Its economic policies, strategic location,
and advanced infrastructure solidify its role as a global trade hub.

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