UAE foreign trade hits record of AED 5.23 trillion in 2024

UAE foreign trade reached a surplus of over AED 490 billion, with the Ministry of Economy’s Foreign Trade team and the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPA) negotiators team recognised for their contributions.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, met with and commended the entities leading the UAE’s foreign trade efforts, encouraging continued innovation to preserve the country’s leading position on the global trade map and to sustain the growth of its international trade relations.

During the meeting with met with a number of ministers, members of the Federal National Council, dignitaries and investors, Sheikh Mohammed said trade has long been a foundation of great civilisations and remains a key pillar of sustainable economic growth. 

Sheikh Mohammed highlighted the UAE is not merely keeping pace with global trade, but actively shaping its future.

His Highness expressed his appreciation to all those contributing to the growth of the UAE’s trade ecosystem, noting that their efforts are helping to write the success story of a nation committed to global economic leadership.

The UAE has signed 21 CEPAs so far, expanding its access to global markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America - markets that collectively represent around 25 per cent of the world’s population. These agreements are an integral part of the UAE’s 'Projects of the 50', which play a key role in boosting the nation’s non-oil trade. The UAE now accounts for 41.4 per cent of the total goods exports in the Middle East, ranking 11th globally in goods exports and 13th in services exports.