UAE – Mubasher: The UAE recorded total foreign trade of AED 5.23 trillion ($1.42 trillion) in 2024, higher by 49% than AED 3.5 trillion ($949 billion) in 2021, according to the World Trade Organization’s ‘World Trade Outlook and Statistics’ report
The comprehensive foreign trade (goods and services) hiked by 49% from 2021, hitting AED 5.23 trillion ($1.42 trillion) in 2024.
Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, commented: “Ranking 11th in merchandise exports and 13th in services exports, with a trade surplus of AED 492.30 billion, the UAE achieved merchandise exports of AED 2.22 trillion and services exports of AED 646.60 billion, including AED191 billion in digital services, reflecting 30% growth and leadership in future-oriented sectors.”
Al Zeyoudi added: “The UAE will continue to enhance its global role by facilitating trade, expanding collaborations, and integrating with global value chains.”
The UAE achieved a trade balance surplus of AED 492.30 billion ($134 billion) in 2024, down from AED 573.10 billion in 2023.
Exports amounted to AED2.861 trillion, against imports of AED 2.36 trillion, based on 2021–2024 statistics.
The Gulf country climbed from 17th to 11th globally in merchandise exports and from 18th to 14th in imports between 2021 and 2024, contributing 2.50% to global merchandise exports and 2.20% to imports.
The exports stood at $603 billion (AED 2.21 trillion), while imports reached $539 billion (AED 1.98 trillion) in 2024.
Meanwhile, the UAE accounted for 41.40% of the Middle East’s $1.50 trillion merchandise exports, with regional exports growing by 3.70% and services by 4.10% in 2024.
On the global level, the UAE contributed 2% to services exports and 1.30% to imports, with service exports of $176 billion (AED 646.60 billion) and imports of $106 billion (AED 389.40 billion).
