UAE’s Non-Oil Trade Jumps 18.6% in Q1, Moving Closer to $1.1 Trillion Goal by 2031, Says Sheikh Mohammed
The UAE’s non-oil foreign trade grew by 18.6% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same time last year, reaching $227 billion (AED 835 billion). This growth is much higher than the global average increase of 2–3%, according to the country’s leaders.
UAE’s Non-Oil Trade Shows Strong Growth
The UAE’s non-oil exports rose by 40.7% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same time last year. This shows how the country is working hard to grow its economy beyond oil and gas.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said the country will reach its goal of growing non-oil foreign trade to $1.1 trillion (AED 4 trillion) by 2027—four years earlier than planned.
He also said the UAE’s economy grew by 4% in 2024, reaching $481.9 billion (AED 1.77 trillion). The non-oil sector made up 75.5% of this, increasing by 5% to $365.4 billion (AED 1.342 trillion). Oil-related activities added $118.2 billion (AED 434 billion) to the economy.
This strong growth is the result of the UAE’s efforts to build more trade ties with other countries, improve customs processes, and invest in modern transport and logistics systems.
Non-Oil Exports Reach New High
In the first quarter of 2025, non-oil exports reached $48.3 billion (AED 177.3 billion), which is a 40.7% increase from the same time last year and a 15.7% rise from the previous quarter. For the first time, non-oil exports made up more than 21% of the country’s total non-oil foreign trade—higher than both imports and re-exports.
Re-exports went up 6% year-on-year to $51.5 billion (AED 189.1 billion). Imports rose 17.2% compared to last year, reaching $127.6 billion (AED 468.6 billion), but fell slightly (1.7%) from the previous quarter.
Economy Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri said the UAE aims to grow its GDP to $816.9 billion (AED 3 trillion) in the next 10 years, focusing on sustainable development and new technology.
Top Trading Partners
Trade with the UAE’s top 10 partner countries grew by 20.2% from last year, beating the 16.9% growth seen with other countries.
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Trade with India grew 31%
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Trade with Saudi Arabia more than doubled, rising 127%
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Trade with Turkiye increased 8.3%
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Trade with China grew 9.6%
Published: 17th June 2025
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