Page 384 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - APRIL 2025 (Part 1)

4/23/25, 3:28 PM UAE foreign trade reaches AED 5.23trln in 2024, up from AED 3.5trln in 2021

Al Zeyoudi: UAE Strengthens Trade Leadership Through Vision and Openness

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 AED 492.3 billion, the UAE achieved merchandise exports of AED 2.22

trillion and services exports of AED 646.6 billion, including AED 191 billion in digital services, reflecting
30% 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.”

Trade Balance Surplus Reaches AED 492.3 Billion

The UAE achieved a trade balance surplus of AED 492.3 billion (USD 134 billion) in 2024, down slightly
from AED 573.1 billion in 2023, reflecting stability amid global challenges. Exports totaled AED 2.8619
trillion, against imports of AED 2.3696 trillion, per 2021–2024 statistics.

Merchandise Exports Advance to 11th Globally

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% to global merchandise exports and 2.2% to imports. Exports
reached USD 603 billion (AED 2.2153 trillion), and imports totaled USD 539 billion (AED 1.9802 trillion)
in 2024.

UAE Leads Regional Digital Services Exports

The UAE ranked 21st globally in digital services exports, valued at USD 52 billion (AED 191 billion) in
2024, up from USD 37 billion in 2021 and USD 48 billion in 2023. Total digital services trade reached
USD 94 billion (AED 345 billion), comprising one-third of services trade. Digital services imports, at USD
42 billion (AED 154 billion), also ranked 21st, contributing 1.1% to global imports, reinforcing the UAE’s
role as a technology hub.

Services Trade Growth in Key Sectors

https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/government-news/uae-foreign-trade-reaches-aed-523trln-in-2024-up-from-aed-35trln-in-2021-nf0uvd3j 4/5