His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, highlighted the nation’s continued progress under the leadership of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Central to this growth is the UAE’s booming non-oil foreign trade, which has achieved consistent record-breaking increases over several years, according to a report by Wam.
In the first quarter of 2025 (January 1 to March 31), the UAE’s non-oil foreign trade reached AED 835 billion, marking an 18.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Non-oil exports demonstrated exceptional performance, recording AED 177.3 billion in Q1 2025 — a 40.7% year-on-year increase and a 15.7% rise from the previous quarter. This milestone pushed non-oil exports to account for over 21% of the UAE’s total non-oil foreign trade for the first time, outpacing both imports and re-exports.
Sheikh Mohammed stated: “The UAE’s non-oil foreign trade saw growth of 18.6% year-on-year in the first quarter of this year, reaching AED 835 billion (global average is 2-3%). The nation’s non-oil exports experienced exceptional growth, surging by 41% annually.” He added that the UAE aims to grow non-oil foreign trade to AED 4 trillion by 2031, a target now expected to be achieved within two years—four years ahead of schedule. In 2024, the country’s GDP grew by 4%, reaching AED 1.77 trillion, with the non-oil sector contributing 75.5% to the economy.
Re-exports increased by 6% annually to AED 189.1 billion, while imports rose 17.2% year-on-year to AED 468.6 billion, though there was a slight 1.7% decline compared to the previous quarter.
Trade with the UAE’s top 10 trading partners grew by 20.2% in Q1 2025, outperforming the 16.9% growth seen with other countries. Notably, trade with India grew by 31%, Saudi Arabia by 127%, Türkiye by 8.3%, and China by 9.6%, each setting new records.
Sheikh Mohammed emphasized, “Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s economic growth is achieving unprecedented success. Indicators of social, economic, and strategic stability and prosperity are at their highest historical levels.” He expressed confidence in a brighter future fueled by the dedicated efforts of thousands working to fulfill the UAE’s global ambitions.
