The UAE's non-oil foreign trade reached AED 1.937 trillion in the first half of 2026, a new historic milestone for the national economy, according to a statement from Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, following the release of H1 trade figures.
The result underscores the UAE's continued advance as a global hub for trade, investment, and logistics, with the minister citing the breadth and diversity of the country's trade relationships as a key differentiator – spanning established partners across all continents and accelerating growth with new and emerging markets.
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement programme has been instrumental in deepening these ties, reinforcing the resilience of the national economy against the backdrop of global economic uncertainty and regional geopolitical pressures. The minister highlighted that the sustainability of growth across multiple markets, partners, and commodities – rather than headline volume alone – reflects the structural strength underpinning the UAE's trade performance, and signals the country's enduring attractiveness as one of the world's most open and competitive economies.
Gulf Economist Staff Writer