Page 389 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - APRIL 2025 (Part 1)

4/23/25, 3:29 PM UAE foreign trade reaches AED5.23 trillion in 2024, up from AED3.5 trillion in 2021 – UAE BARQ
• The UAE contributed 41.4 percent of the Middle East’s merchandise exports, solidifying its role as the region’s
primary trade hub.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum concluded, “Under the leadership of the President, we will sustain and
enhance these achievements. Our commitment to openness, trade liberalisation, and global connectivity will ensure
continued growth and leadership.”

The UAE’s exceptional performance, as detailed in the WTO’s report, demonstrates its economic resilience amid global
trade uncertainties. Comprehensive foreign trade (goods and services) grew by 49 percent from 2021, reaching
AED5.23 trillion (US$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 US$603
billion (AED2.2153 trillion), and imports totalled US$539 billion (AED1.9802 trillion) in 2024.

The UAE ranked 21st globally in digital services exports, valued at US$52 billion (AED191 billion) in 2024, up from
US$37 billion in 2021 and US$48 billion in 2023. Total digital services trade reached US$94 billion (AED345 billion),
comprising one-third of services trade. Digital services imports, at US$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).

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