Page 392 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - APRIL 2025 (Part 1)

4/23/25, 3:30 PM UAE foreign trade reaches AED5.23 trillion in 2024, up from AED3.5 trillion in 2021 – UAE Business and Travel Insights – TotalUAE…
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).

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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