Represents a 49 percent increase in AED3.5TN ($ 949 billion) in 2021
This robust growth reflects the strategic economic vision of the EAU, reinforcing its position as the main shopping center in the Middle East and Africa since 2014 and among the 20 main world shopping centers for goods and services.
Eau Foreign Trade
In a global commercial environment marked by a growth of 2.9 percent in the merchandise trade and 6.8 percent in the service of services in 2024, the performance of the EAU underlines their recovery capacity in the midst of tariffs and increasing uncertainties.
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Said: “In a World of Economic and Trade Challenges, The UAE you have prioritized Openness, Connectivity, and the free flow or stental, and People, and People, and People, and People, and People, and People, and People, and People, and People, and People, and People. and People, and People, and People, and People, and People, and People, and People, and People, and People, and People, and People, and the people, people, people, and people, and people, and people, people and people, and people, and people, and people, people and people.
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum highlighted the key achievements of the WTO report:
- Foreign trade reached AED5.23TN in 2024, with a commercial surplus of AED492.3bn, positioning the EAU as the engine of international trade
- The EAU occupied the 11th place worldwide in merchandise exports and 13 in services exports
- Services exports totaled AED646.6bn, including AED191bn in digital services, which comprise 30 percent of service exports
- Merchandise exports amounted to AED2.22TN in 2024
- The EAU contributed with 41.4 percent of exports of merchandise in the Middle East, solidifying their role as the main shopping center in the region
Sheikh Mohammed said: “Under the president’s leadership, we will maintain and improve the thesis achievements. Our commitment to openness, trade liberalization and global connectivity will guarantee continuous growth and leadership.”
The exceptional performance of the EAU, as detailed in the WTO report, demonstrates its economic resistance in world commercial uncertainties.
Comprehensive foreign trade (goods and services) grew by 49 percent from 2021, reaching AED5.23TN ($ 1,424TN) in 2024.

Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, said: “Promoted by visionary leadership and a commitment to economic openness, global innovation and integration, the EAU have solidified their status as a global shopping center.
“Classification 11 in merchandise exports and 13th in service exports, with a commercial surplus of AED492.3bn, the EAU achieved exports of goods exports of services AED2.22TN of AED646.6bn, including the aed191bn leadership in sectors oriented to the future.
“These achievements express national efforts, flexible policies and strong international associations. EAU will continue to improve their global role in facilitating trade, expanding collaborations and integrating with global value chains.”
The EAU achieved a commercial balance surplus of AED492.3bn ($ 134 billion) in 2024, slightly down of AED573.1bn in 2023, which reflects stability amid global challenges.
Exports totaled AED2.8619TN, against imports of AED2.3696Tn, by 2021–2024 statistics.
The EAU rose from 17 to 11 worldwide in merchandise exports and from 18 to 14 in imports between 2021 and 2024, contributing with 2.5 percent to global exports of goods and 2.2 percent to imports.
Exports reached $ 603 billion (AED2.2153TN), and imports total $ 539 billion (AED1.9802TN) in 2024.
The EAU ranked 21st worldwide in digital services exports, valued at $ 52 billion (AED191BN) in 2024, compared to $ 37 billion in 2021 and $ 48 billion in 2023.
The total trade of digital services reached $ 94 billion (AED345bn), which includes a third of the service trade. Imports of digital services, at $ 42 billion (AED154bn), also occupied the 21st position, contributing with 1.1 percent to global imports, reinforcing the role of EAU as a technology center.
The Services trade totaled AED1.036TN ($ 282 billion) in 2024, with exports of AED646.6bn (62.4 percent) and imports of AED389.4bn. Information services grew by 14 percent, tourism in 13 percent, computer services in 12 percent, financial services in 9 percent, and transport, intellectual property and insurance services in 8 percent each, contributing by contributing 26.4 percent for global trade, the greatest participation.
The EAU represented 41.4 percent of merchandise exports of $ 1.5TN of the Middle East, with regional exports that grew 3.7 percent and services by 4.1 percent in 2024.
Worldwide, EAU contributed 2 percent to services exports and 1.3 percent to imports, with service exports or $ 176 billion (AED646.6bn) and imports of $ 106 billion (AED389.4bn).
The EAU advanced from 17 to 13 in services exports and from 19 to 21 in imports of services between 2021 and 2024, with services that comprise 20 percent of total trade.
In 2024, the merchandise sectors grew, with 10 percent office and telecommunications equipment, 6 percent electronics and agricultural products, food and clothing at 3 percent each.
Industrial goods increased by 2 percent, and chemical and textile with 1 percent, while fuel and mining products fell by 7 percent, iron and steel by 6 percent, and motorobiles by 1 percent.
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– HH Sheikh Mohammed (@Hhshkmohd) April 20, 2025
Global exports of goods grew by 2 percent, reaching $ 24.43TN.
The achievements of the EAU reflect their strategy of innovation and diversification, positioning it to navigate an expected decrease of 0.2 percent in the global merchandise trade in 2025.
Contributing to regional GDP growth of 1.6 percent in 2024, with 3.2 percent projections in 2025 and 3.5 percent in 2026, EAU remain resistant.
Its economic policies, strategic location and advanced infrastructure solidify its role as a global shopping center.