DUBAI: H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, today announced that Dubai’s non-oil foreign trade in 2016 reached AED1.276 trillion ($347.4 billion) despite the global slowdown. Sheikh Hamdan pointed out that the value of Dubai’s external trade rose 70 percent from AED754 billion in 2009 to AED1.276 trillion in 2016. Speaking on the occasion, His Highness said, “We have achieved this growth despite the world credit crunch in 2008 that hit the world’s economies. The achievement underscores the emirate’s strong standing in the global trading landscape.” Imports took the lion’s share at AED803 billion, while re-exports and exports accounted for AED330 billion and AED143 billion respectively.
While China maintained its position as Dubai’s leading trading partner with AED166 billion in two-way trade (13 percent of total trade), India came second at AED94 billion (7.4 percent of total trade), followed by the United States at AED86 billion (6.7 percent of total trade). Saudi Arabia maintained its position as the top Arab and GCC trading partner and fourth globally with AED52 billion (4.1 percent) of total trade. Germany stood fifth at AED50 billion (3.9 percent of total trade). Sheikh Hamdan said Dubai was able to diversify its foreign trade despite fluctuations in international trade in 2016, the slump in global markets and the decline in basic commodity prices. “Thanks to the wise vision of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, we are moving swiftly towards a ‘post-oil UAE’. We are further diversifying our economy and attracting more investment,” the Dubai Crown Prince further said. Sheikh Hamdan pointed out that the economic diversification strategies of Dubai and the UAE are achieving their goals, underscoring the country’s economic resilience and its ability to adapt to fluctuations in international markets.
“Dubai’s trade sector continues to demonstrate strong performance and significantly contributes to the country’s economic growth. We will be a very successful host of Dubai Expo 2020. Dubai is transforming itself into the world’s smartest city and a knowledge-based economy as well as leading the UAE’s transition into a post-oil economy,” the Dubai Crown Prince said. He explained that after the leadership announced its post-oil plans, trade would play a crucial role in the national economy, supported by the country’s highly efficient infrastructure. In 2016, Dubai further boosted its international and regional position and was able to turn challenges into opportunities by swiftly moving into the knowledge based economy to provide the best advantages for traders and investors who choose the emirate for their business. Dubai saw an 8.2 percent surge in the total bulk weight of traded goods in 2016, rising to 92 million tons of commodities from 85 million in 2015.
Direct trade amounted for AED830 billion (65 percent of Dubai’s total trade), followed by free zone trade at AED411.44 billion (32 percent), and customs warehouse trade at AED34.76 (3 percent). In terms of shipment and freight transport, air cargo accounted for AED592 billion representing 46 percent of Dubai’s total trade while sea freight contributed AED452 billion (35 percent), and inland trade AED232 billion (18 percent). DP World Chairman and CEO and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, said, “Dubai has once again demonstrated its great capacity to cope with and make the best of the ups and downs of global trade, focusing on the thriving sectors of ICT products and smart devices and staying ahead of the game in the race towards becoming the world’s smartest city.
