UAE nine-month foreign trade reaches Dh3 trillion, up 10%
Exports to top 10 trading partners rose 31 per cent year-on-year in the first nine months of 2026.
The United Arab Emirates recorded Dh3 trillion in foreign trade during the first nine months of 2026, a 10 per cent increase from the same period in 2025, according to an announcement published on November 8. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, disclosed the figure in a post on X. Exports to the country's 10 largest trading partners rose 31 per cent year-on-year during the nine-month period.
Nine-month performance exceeds first-half figures#
The nine-month total represents an acceleration from the UAE's first-half trade performance. Non-oil foreign trade reached Dh1.937 trillion in the six months to end-June 2026, a 13.1 per cent annual increase, with non-oil exports of Dh452.8 billion during that period, up almost 24 per cent year-on-year. The announcement did not break down the nine-month figure between oil and non-oil components or between exports, imports and re-exports.
Trade expansion supported by partnership agreements#
The UAE has signed 38 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements since launching the programme in 2021, with 18 now in force. Partners include India, Turkey, Jordan, Serbia, Vietnam and Ukraine. Benin became the latest signatory in October 2026. The agreements reduce tariffs and simplify customs procedures with selected countries.
GDP grew 0.4% in first half despite regional disruption#
The UAE economy expanded 0.4 per cent annually to Dh961.9 billion in the first half of 2026, driven by non-oil business activity, the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre reported in October. The non-oil sector's contribution to GDP increased 1.8 per cent to 79.2 per cent during the six-month period. Trade accounted for 16.2 per cent of non-oil GDP, the largest share among non-oil sectors.
Sources2 sources across 2 domains
- khaleejtimes.comKhaleej TimesUAE foreign trade approached Dh3 trillion in first nine months of 2026, up 10 per cent year-on-year, with exports to top 10 partners up 31 per cent, announced November 8 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
- thenationalnews.comThe NationalFirst-half non-oil trade was Dh1.937 trillion, up 13.1 per cent, with non-oil exports of Dh452.8 billion, up 24 per cent; UAE has signed 38 Cepas with 18 in force; GDP grew 0.4 per cent to Dh961.9 billion in H1 2026 with non-oil at 79.2 per cent of GDP
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