The UAE is at the forefront of the world in the field of digital commerce readiness

Standard Chartered today announced that the United Arab Emirates leads the world in digital trade readiness, continuing to strengthen its position as a global hub for digital trade, driven by ambitious transformation strategies and increasing adoption of modern technologies.

According to the results of its global report titled “The Future of Trade: Digitization,” Standard Chartered attributed this classification to the strength of the country’s digital system, the clarity of its regulatory environment, and the speed of companies adopting modern technologies that contribute to reshaping international trade paths.

He stressed that the integration of the digital infrastructure and the development of the regulatory framework contributed to consolidating the role of the state as a pivotal partner in shaping the future of global trade.

The report, which was based on a survey of more than 1,200 multinational companies in 17 major markets around the world, indicated that cloud computing represents the most influential driver in the path of digital transformation for Emirati companies, with 97% of them confirming that it is an essential element in their business models, which is the highest rate among all the markets included in the survey. The country emerged in terms of adopting digital assets by 68%, which strengthens its position as a leading center for digital settlements and solutions based on blockchain technology.

The data showed the expansion of UAE companies in adopting advanced technologies, and the adoption of augmented reality and virtual reality technologies reached 43%, while the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies reached 36%.

These indicators reflect the breadth of applications of modern technology in operational processes, supply chain management, and interaction with customers.

The overwhelming majority of companies in the UAE, 96%, expressed their support for expanding digital economy agreements with the aim of harmonizing digital standards and regulating cross-border trade more effectively.

Syed Khurram Zaim, General Manager and Head of Trade and Transaction Banking for the Middle East, Pakistan and Africa at Standard Chartered, said that the UAE has succeeded in building one of the most advanced and efficient digital systems in the world, and advanced government policies, quality infrastructure and institutional capabilities are working to enable companies to adopt modern technologies at a rapid pace and on a large scale.

He added that this classification reflects the country’s leadership position and its continued ability to develop a digital business environment that responds to the requirements of modern global trade.

The report noted that UAE companies have one of the strongest internal digital capabilities compared to other markets, with 73% of companies managing digital transformation programs within their organizations without relying heavily on external service providers. This demonstrates the maturity of the business environment in the country and its readiness to implement complex digital initiatives with high efficiency.