5.23 trillion dirhams, the total Emirates merchandise and service trade with the world in 2024 compared to 3.5 trillion dirhams in 2021

Abu Dhabi, April 20 / WAM / The total value of the Emirates trade with the world reached 5.23 trillion dirhams ($ 1.424 trillion) in 2024, compared to 3.5 trillion dirhams (949 billion dollars) in 2021, achieving a great growth that reflects its ambitious economic vision according to the World Trade Organization report “World Trade Horizons and Statistics” which showed the continuous leadership of the United Arab Emirates as one of the strongest Global and regional economies and the fastest growth in the field of foreign trade, as the state has made prominent achievements that made it at the leadership of a region in the Middle East and Africa since 2014, and has established its position among the best 20 global commercial centers for goods and services.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, “may God bless him”, stressed that the UAE has established its location as a global economic center and bridges linking East and West, and His Highness said: “In a world that witnesses major economic and commercial challenges … the UAE chose from the beginning the approach Economically globally. “
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum added that, according to the last report of the World Trade Organization, it was published a few days ago, the volume of foreign trade of the Emirates reached 5.23 trillion dirhams in 2024 with a trade surplus exceeding 490 billion dirhams, so that the state is one of the cravings of the International Trade Movement, and it was submitted to become 11th globally in exports of goods and 13 globally in service exports.

The UAE issued services of 650 billion dirhams in 2024..the 191 billion dirhams are digital services that represented 30% of the total services exports, and the state issued goods of 2.2 trillion dirhams in 2024 a growth of 6% from the previous year, and the UAE alone exports 41% of the total commodity exports in the Middle East .. which makes it the main axis and the largest commercial center in the region.
His Highness said: “With the grace of God, the completion will continue … and with the follow -up of my brother, the head of state, we will maintain the gains … and strengthen them and by maintaining our approach to openness, liberalizing trade and building bridges, growth and leadership will remain our ally, God willing.”

In detail, the United Arab Emirates continued to consolidate its global commercial power, achieving exceptional performance in the newly issued World Trade Organization report, which clearly reflected the strength and competitiveness of the Emirati economy in the midst of a global trade environment characterized by uncertainty and the challenges of customs definitions.
According to the report, the UAE recorded a comprehensive external trade (goods and services) with a value of 5.23 trillion dirhams (1.424 trillion dollars) during the year 2024, compared to 3.5 trillion dirhams in 2021, or a growth exceeding 49% in just three years.

His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al -Zyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, stressed that the United Arab Emirates continues to establish its position as a global center for trade and investment, driven by the vision of its rational leadership and its approach based on economic openness, and its adoption for innovation and integration with global markets.
His Excellency added that the state has ranked 11th globally in goods exports, and 13 in service exports, and achieved a commercial surplus with a value of more than 492 billion dirhams, while our commodity exports reached 2.22 trillion dirhams, and service to 650 billion dirhams, of which 191 billion dirhams represent our exports of digital services that have grown by 30%, which reflects our economic diversity and leadership in sectors the future.
His Excellency pointed out that the achievements made by the UAE at the commercial level came as a result of a national effort, flexible economic policies, and a strong international relations network, stressing that the UAE is continuing to enhance its global position by facilitating trade flows, expanding its partnerships, supporting investment, and enhancing integration with global value chains.

Among the most prominent achievements, the UAE has achieved a surplus in the balance of commodity and service trade with a value of 492.3 billion dirhams in 2024, a slight decrease from 573.1 billion dirhams in 2023, which reflects its economic stability amid global challenges, and this surplus is due to the power of exports that amounted to 2.8619 trillion dirhams, compared to imports of 2.3696 trillion dirhams, according to statistics Detailed for the period from 2021 to 2024.

The UAE witnessed remarkable progress in the export of commodities, as it moved from the 17th place globally in 2021 to 11th in 2024, while its arrangement in commodity imports improved from 18th to 14th place during the same period, and this progress contributed to raising its global contribution to 2.5% of global goods exports and 2.2% of commodity imports, with a value of commodity exports of 603 billion dollars (2.2153 trillion AED) in 2024, compared to $ 539 billion (1.9802 trillion dirhams).

In the field of digital services, the UAE has emerged as an emerging power and ranked 21 globally in exporting digital services worth $ 52 billion (190 billion dirhams) in 2024, an increase of 37 billion dollars in 2021 and 48 billion dollars in 2023, bringing the total digital services trade to 94 billion dollars (345 billion dirhams), which constitutes a third of the total service trade in the country.

The UAE also ranked 21st in digital services imports of $ 42 billion (154 billion dirhams), with the contribution of 1.1% of international imports, which enhances its position as a global technology center.

Importing exports amounted to 2.22 trillion dirhams in 2024, or 53% of the total commodity trade that reached 4.1954 trillion dirhams, while service exports recorded 646.6 billion dirhams, or 62.4% of the total service trade of 1.036 trillion dirhams and this balance between goods and services reflects the economic diversification strategy adopted by the UAE.

The services trade witnessed a strong growth in 2024, where information services recorded a growth of 14%, tourism 13%, computer services 12%, and financial services 9%, while transportation, intellectual property and insurance services achieved 8%for each of them.

These sectors constitute the basic pillar of services trade, which contributed 26.4% of global trade, the highest share since 2005.

The UAE contributed 2% of global services exports and 1.3% of service imports, with total services exports of 176 billion dollars (646.6 billion dirhams) and imports of 106 billion dollars (389.4 billion dirhams) in 2024, and in the regional context, the UAE contributed 41.4% of the total Middle East commodity exports that amounted to 1.5 trillion dollars, achieved growth in Importing exports by 3.7% and service 4.1%.

The UAE moved from the 17th place in the export of services in 2021 to 13th in 2024, while its arrangement in service imports improved from 19 to 21, which reflects its ability to enhance competitiveness in this sector, which represents 20% of its total trade.

The commodity trade witnessed an annual growth in 2024, where the library tools and communications devices led by 10%, followed by electronics 6%, agricultural and food commodities and clothes 3%for each, the industry is 2%, chemicals and weaving 1%, while fuel and mining products decreased by 7%, iron and steel 6%and cars 1%. Nevertheless, the UAE recorded a growth in goods exports by 2% globally, to reach 24.43 trillion dollars.

These achievements come in light of an ambitious strategy that relies on innovation and diversification, which puts the UAE in an advanced location to face future challenges and enhance its role as a global trade axis and contributed to the growth of regional GDP of 1.6% in 2024, with expectations of an increase to 3.2% in 2025 and 3.5% in 2026.
At a time when global expectations are declining and the pace of commercial barriers escalates, the UAE continues its career steadily, the banner of openness, partnership and innovation.

These global figures and classifications are the result of ambitious economic policies, a strategic geographical location and an advanced infrastructure that made the state a pivotal center in the global trade map.

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