Abu Dhabi’s Non-Oil Trade Grows 27.7% In 2011

Abu Dhabi’s non-oil trade grew by 27.7 per cent to Dhs139.42 billion in 2011, according to official figures released by the Statistics Centre- Abu Dhabi (SCAD).

Imports increased by 34.4 per cent during 2011 to reach Dhs116.37 billion while non-oil exports declined by 1.1 per cent to reach Dhs11.48 billion, reported official news agency WAM. The emirate’s re-exports rose by 5.3 per cent during the year.

The largest drop among the exports was recorded in the ‘Machinery and transport equipment’ category, which fell 20 per cent.

According to the report, Asia was Abu Dhabi’s top non-oil importer, receiving 55.3 per cent of the emirate’s exports. North America and South America were the next largest importers.

Meanwhile, Asia, Europe and North America made a combined contribution of 91.3 per cent to Abu Dhabi’s total non-oil imports in 2011, said SCAD.

In terms of re-exports, Asia topped the list, accounting for a combined share of 89.5 per cent of the total in 2011. Re-exports to Europe, the second largest re-export destination, increased by 58 per cent, while Africa was the third largest region for non-oil trade re-exports from Abu Dhabi.