UAE non-oil foreign trade reaches $517.4 billion in H1 2026

During the 15th Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) in Dubai, UAE officials reported significant growth in the nation's non-oil sector. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, stated that the UAE's non-oil foreign trade exceeded AED 1.9 trillion ($517.4 billion) during the first half of 2026. Additionally, the UAE attracted $48.3 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in 2025, ranking ninth globally for FDI destinations.

Addressing the evolving global trade landscape, Badr Jafar, Special Envoy of the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the rise of South-South trade, which is valued at nearly $7 trillion annually. Jafar emphasized the necessity of building resilient supply chains and alternative trade routes to mitigate global shipping disruptions. He noted that the UAE has signed nearly 40 economic partnership agreements to bolster its economic model. Jafar also remarked that as trade becomes increasingly digitized through artificial intelligence, the importance of trust and standardized data remains critical for maintaining global network resilience.