UAE Non-Oil Trade Up 5%

The UAE’s non-oil foreign trade increased five per cent to reach Dhs76.6 billion in February this year, up from Dhs73 billion in February 2011, according to preliminary statistics released by the Federal Customs Agency (FCA).

While non-oil exports grew to Dhs12.1 billion, up 62 per cent from Dhs7.5 billion last year, non-oil imports increased by eight per cent year-on-year to Dhs54.9 billion in February this year.

The UAE’s re-exports stood at Dhs15 billion during the month, reported official news agency WAM.

In terms of weight, foreign trade hit seven million tones including 2.5 tonnes in exports, 3.7 million tonnes in imports and 742,000 tonnes in re-exports.

The UAE’s non-oil trade has been consistently growing in the last few quarters. Last year, total trade increased to Dhs927.7 billion, up 23 per cent from Dhs754.3 billion in 2010.

The total value of imports reached Dhs369.6 billion, and exports totalled Dhs78.3 billion in 2011.

In terms of imports, India came first, followed by China, the US, Germany and Japan.

India also topped the list of the main exports receivers from the UAE, followed by Switzerland and Saudi Arabia.