UAE Surges to 9th Among Global Exporters, WTO Reports

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has achieved a significant milestone by ranking among the world’s top 10 exporting nations for the first time, as reported in the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) “World Trade Prospects and Statistics” report. This development marks a notable ascent from 17th place just five years prior, underscoring the UAE’s growing influence in global trade.

Trade Growth and Economic Impact

According to the WTO report, the UAE’s goods and services trade has seen remarkable growth, escalating from $949 billion (AED 3.5 trillion) in 2021 to an estimated $1.637 trillion (AED 6.014 trillion) by 2025. This surge reflects the UAE’s strategic initiatives to enhance its trade capabilities and diversify its economy.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, acknowledged this achievement in a recent post on social media platform X, emphasizing the rapid progress made in just five years.

The report highlights that the total value of the UAE’s goods trade reached $1.33 trillion (AED 4.9 trillion), with exports constituting 53% of this figure. Additionally, the services trade is projected to reach AED 1.14 trillion, with 61.4% attributed to service exports.

Trade Surplus and Global Standing

The UAE recorded a trade surplus of AED 584.1 billion in 2025, a substantial increase from AED 492.3 billion in 2024, marking a year-on-year growth of 19%. This positions the UAE as the 9th largest exporter of goods globally and the 13th in terms of goods imports.

The report also points to exceptional growth in the UAE’s foreign trade in services, which surpassed the AED 1 trillion mark for the first time, reaching AED 1.14 trillion in 2025. The UAE’s contributions to global goods exports accounted for 3.3%, while imports represented 2.8% of the total.

In the rapidly expanding digital services sector, the UAE ranked 25th globally, with an export value of $33 billion (AED 121.19 billion), contributing 0.6% to the world’s digital services exports.

Ministerial Insights on Economic Resilience

Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, stated that the UAE’s entry into the top 10 exporters is a testament to the nation’s competitiveness and reflects global confidence in its economy. He emphasized the importance of the UAE’s diverse economic structure, which includes robust service sectors such as financial services, logistics, hospitality, information technology, and transportation. These sectors have experienced growth rates ranging from 9% to 14%, showcasing the national economy’s adaptability to global changes.

Dr. Al Zeyoudi also noted the UAE’s commitment to expanding its trade partnerships through the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) program. This initiative aims to facilitate Emirati exporters in accessing new markets without barriers, thereby enhancing the global competitiveness of national products.

Future Outlook and Global Trade Challenges

The WTO report outlines potential challenges facing global trade, particularly a slowdown in growth anticipated for 2026 due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and rising energy prices. The report forecasts that goods trade growth may decelerate to 1.9% in 2026 from 4.6% in 2025, with a rebound expected in 2027.

In terms of services trade, growth is projected to slow to 4.8% in 2026, before accelerating to 5.1% in 2027. If energy prices continue to rise, the growth in goods trade could further decline to 1.4%, while services may see a reduction to 4.1% in 2026.

Dr. Al Zeyoudi reaffirmed the UAE’s dedication to fostering international cooperation to promote the free flow of goods, services, and capital. He called for reforms within the WTO to adapt to the rapid changes in the global economy and ensure equitable participation for all countries in a transparent system.

The UAE remains committed to transforming challenges into opportunities, pursuing a vision of sustainable growth and development. The nation plans to continue implementing open economic policies that prioritize innovation and sustainability, reinforcing its position in global trade.

For further details, refer to the source: www.arnnewscentre.ae.

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Published on 2026-04-05 19:30:00 • By the Editorial Desk