Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, has praised the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) for achieving a record trade value of Dhs246 billion in the first half of 2026, marking a 17% increase from the same period last year. This achievement underscores the growing confidence of investors and international trade stakeholders in Dubai’s strategic position within global trade.
Sheikh Hamdan’s commendation highlights DIEZ’s sixth consecutive year of record trade performance, reflecting the resilience of Dubai’s economic and logistics ecosystem. He emphasized that the ability to maintain trade continuity and adapt to shifts in international supply chains is crucial in today’s competitive global market. “Competition in global trade is no longer determined by trade volumes alone,” he noted, pointing to the importance of robust infrastructure and logistics efficiency.
Significant Contributions to Non-Oil Trade
The record trade performance has bolstered DIEZ’s contribution to Dubai’s non-oil trade, increasing its share to approximately 16%, up from 15.4% in the same period last year. This growth illustrates the vital role of DIEZ’s economic zones in enhancing Dubai’s status as a global hub for trade and investment.
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of DIEZ, remarked that the authority’s performance demonstrates the effectiveness of its integrated economic ecosystem in sustaining growth and adapting to rapid changes in global trade flows. He reiterated the commitment to advancing an integrated economic and logistics framework that connects businesses with global markets, aligning with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.
Trade Dynamics and Key Markets
During the first half of 2026, the value of imports rose to Dhs134.8 billion, a 14% increase year-on-year, while re-exports surged by 22% to approximately Dhs108.8 billion. Direct exports reached around Dhs2.4 billion. Despite challenges in trade flows and supply chains, the integration of logistics capabilities across DIEZ’s economic zones has been pivotal in maintaining trade continuity.
China emerged as DIEZ’s largest trading partner, with total trade valued at Dhs69.8 billion, accounting for 28.4% of the total trade. Other significant partners included Saudi Arabia, India, and Vietnam, highlighting the strategic importance of Asian and Gulf markets in DIEZ’s trade network.
Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of DIEZ, stated that the trade performance reflects the resilience of DIEZ’s integrated model and the confidence stakeholders have in its efficiency. He emphasized the focus on sustaining economic momentum and building on the strategic results achieved thus far.
As Dubai continues to strengthen its position in the global trade landscape, the achievements of DIEZ serve as a testament to the emirate’s commitment to fostering a competitive and adaptive economic environment.
For further details, see the report by Gulf Today.
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