Page 385 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - APRIL 2025 (Part 1)

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4/23/25, 3:28 PM UAE foreign trade reaches AED 5.23trln in 2024, up from AED 3.5trln in 2021
Services trade totaled AED 1.036 trillion (USD 282 billion) in 2024, with exports of AED 646.6 billion
(62.4%) and imports of AED 389.4 billion. Information services grew by 14%, tourism by 13%, computer
services by 12%, financial services by 9%, and transport, intellectual property, and insurance services
by 8% each, contributing 26.4% to global trade, the highest share since 2005.

Regional and Global Economic Contributions

The UAE accounted for 41.4% of the Middle East’s USD 1.5 trillion merchandise exports, with regional
exports growing by 3.7% and services by 4.1% in 2024. Globally, the UAE contributed 2% to services
exports and 1.3% to imports, with service exports of USD 176 billion (AED 646.6 billion) and imports of

USD 106 billion (AED 389.4 billion).

Global Trade Rankings

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% of total trade.

Merchandise Sector Performance

In 2024, merchandise sectors grew, with office equipment and telecommunications at 10%, electronics
at 6%, and agricultural products, food, and clothing at 3% each. Industrial goods rose by 2%, and

chemicals and textiles by 1%, while fuel and mining products fell by 7%, iron and steel by 6%, and
automobiles by 1%. Global merchandise exports grew by 2%, reaching USD 24.43 trillion.

Outlook Amid Global Challenges

The UAE’s achievements reflect its strategy of innovation and diversification, positioning it to navigate a

forecasted 0.2% decline in global merchandise trade in 2025. Contributing to a 1.6% regional GDP
growth in 2024, with projections of 3.2% in 2025 and 3.5% in 2026, the UAE remains resilient. Its
economic policies, strategic location, and advanced infrastructure solidify its role as a global trade hub.