Hold onto your calculators—because the UAE just cranked up the volume on its economic growth playlist, and it’s playing nothing but hits. In a dazzling show of resilience and ambition, the country’s non-oil foreign trade skyrocketed to a jaw-dropping Dh835 billion in the first quarter of 2025 alone—a thunderous 18.6% year-on-year increase that completely blows past the global average growth of 2–3%.
And if that wasn’t impressive enough, buckle up: non-oil exports surged by a mind-blowing 41%, setting historic records and proving the UAE isn’t just riding the wave—it’s making the wave. This explosive trade performance is a glowing testament to the nation’s clear-eyed economic vision, diversification strategy, and relentless drive to lead the region—and the world—into a new era of sustainable prosperity.
What makes this even more electrifying is the composition of the growth. For the first time in history, non-oil exports now account for over 21% of the UAE’s total non-oil foreign trade, outpacing both imports and re-exports. Imports still put on a strong show at Dh468.6 billion—a 17.2% year-on-year rise—while re-exports notched a solid 6% annual gain to hit Dh189.1 billion. Even quarter-on-quarter comparisons reveal the muscle of this momentum, with exports climbing nearly 16% from Q4 2024.
Trade with the UAE’s top 10 partners also saw an impressive 20.2% surge, with supercharged gains from India (+31%), Saudi Arabia (+127%!!), Turkiye, and China. This isn’t just trade—it’s turbocharged diplomacy with an economic engine.
As His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum declared, the UAE’s goal of reaching Dh4 trillion in non-oil trade by 2031 may now be achieved by 2027. Forget playing catch-up—Dubai and the Emirates are rewriting the global trade game.
