Dubai’s non-oil foreign trade grows 10% to AED 354 billion in Q1 2021

Commenting on the exceptional growth, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai crown Prince and President of the Executive The Dubai Council said: “This remarkable performance reflects the impressive resilience of our foreign trade sector and its ability to rebound and grow in the face of major international crises. Inspired by the vision and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, we have always turned challenges into opportunities. We have been able to achieve this thanks to our good governance, our advanced infrastructure, our strategic location, our status as a regional and global hub for trade and the generous stimulus packages that the government has launched to support trade and business.

“This remarkable growth will bring us closer to the ambitious goal of Dubai’s five-year strategy to increase the value of foreign trade to AED2 trillion and consolidate its position as a bridge connecting regional and international markets by constantly improving its infrastructure. and its logistics services. In addition, by hosting EXPO2020, “the world’s largest trade fair”, Dubai will make a significant contribution to the recovery of the global economy and help it return to prosperity. “

HE Sultan ben Sulayem, The Chairman and CEO of DP World Group and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation said he is continuing his global trade activities during what has been a trying time. The impressive success of the vaccination campaign in the United Arab Emirates has created great global confidence in the country and has helped Dubai strengthen its profile as the city with the most favorable business environment in the world.

“We are leading the way in connecting east to west and north to south through a number of leading global projects, including the Global Logistics Passport, which Dubai has launched to facilitate international trade and build a global logistics network. The initiative offers economic benefits to member countries like Indonesia, India, Thailand, South Africa and Brazil, among others. Large international shipping companies have also joined the World Logistics Passport to benefit from the more than 100 features it offers. Improvements to the initiative were announced at the recent World Logistics Passport Virtual Summit held in Dubai on June 8, 2021. ”

The president of the Ports, Customs and Free Zones Corporation said Dubai has strengthened its vital role in global trade by regularly hosting international trade events. These include the fifth OMD Global AEO Conference, organized by Dubai Customs in cooperation with the World Customs Organization and the Federal Customs Authority. The conference saw the participation of approximately 100 renowned speakers and more than 12,000 experts from 160 countries. Further growth is expected to be generated with Dubai preparing to host EXPO 2020. Dubai Customs is offering an enhanced set of facilities and services specially designed for EXPO exhibitors.

Direct trade in the first quarter of 2021 totaled AED217 billion, up 15% from the first quarter of 2020, while trade through free zones reached AED135 billion, growing by 2%. Trade in customs warehouses was worth AED 2.3 billion, up 23%.

Air trade accounted for AED179 billion, up 15%. Maritime trade reached AED 120 billion, growing 3%, while land trade reached AED 55.3 billion, growing 7%.

China maintained its position as Dubai’s top trading partner in the first quarter of 2021 with trade worth AED44 billion, a growth of 30%. India came in second with AED35 billion, up 17%, followed by the United States in third place with AED15.4 billion. Saudi Arabia continued to be Dubai’s largest trading partner in the Gulf and Arab countries and its fourth largest trading partner in the world with AED14.7 billion in trade, growing by 20%, followed by Turkey in fifth place with 12 billion AED, a staggering 72% growth.

Gold tops the list of commodities in Dubai’s foreign trade in the first quarter at AED63 billion, up 27%, followed by telecommunications at AED50 billion, up 32%. Diamonds recorded a record growth of 61% and came third on the list with AED 29 billion, followed by jewelry at AED 17 billion and vehicle trade, which increased 9% to reach AED 14 billion. ‘AED.

© Press release 2021