Abu Dhabi: The value of foreign trade of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi increased by 37.6per cent in 2011 to mark Dh532.9 billion, as a result of the hike in exports by 38.5 per cent, and imports by 34.4 per cent.The total trade accounted for 66 per cent of the GDP of the emirate in 2011.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia came first on the list of trading partners of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi for non-oil commodities during 2011, as it accounted for 11 per cent of the total non-oil trade of the Emirate, with trade exchange valued at Dh15.9 billion during the same year.

The United States came in the second place, with approximately Dh13.6 billion, and a relative importance of 9.7 per cent, while South Korea was at third place, as it accounted for 8.4 per cent of the total non-oil trade of the Emirate, and trade exchange of Dh11.8 billion. Japan ranked fourth in with a share of Dh9.9 billion of the total emirate’s non-oil trade during 2011, marking a relative importance of 7 per cent. Three countries from the European Union, Germany, Italy and France, assumed the fifth, sixth, and seventh rank respectively.

It is worth noting that the map of Abu Dhabi trading partners in the export sector was constantly changing in recent years. Canada was at first place among importing countries from Abu Dhabi in 2011, with imports from Abu Dhabi valued at Dh2.7 billion, accounting for 23 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s total non-oil exports to various countries around the world.

Saudi Arabia ranked second, with imports from Abu Dhabi, valued at Dh2 billion, constituting 17.9 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s non-oil exports. Brazil fell to third place with Dh1.7 billion imports from Abu Dhabi, equivalent to 14.5 per centof the total non-oil exports, noting that it ranked first in 2010.

The exports of (floating and submersible drilling and production platforms), have always been a factor in changing the map of the emirate’s trading partners from one year to another.

Despite the change that occurred in the second and third places on the list of key re-export trading partners during 2011, however, the GCC countries occupied the first four ranks, same as in 2010. Bahrain received 29.6 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s total re-exports, to maintain the first place, with re-exports valued at Dh3.4 billion. Saudi Arabia came second by 13.8 per cent, Qatar retreated to the third place by 13.4 per cent, while Kuwait maintained the fourth place by 9.5 per cent. Away from GCC countries, India won the fifth place by 5.8 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s total re-exports in 2011.

With regard to key trading partners in imports, the US ranked first for the third year in a row, as its exports to Abu Dhabi amounted to Dh13.4 billion, representing 11.5 per cent of the total imports of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in 2011.

Saudi Arabia maintained the second place with 10.5 per cent, while South Korea advanced from the eighth to the third place by 10.1 per cent, and Japan fell to fourth place with 8.5 per cent.The decline in imports from Germany continued, to place it in fifth place by 8.2 per cent in 2011, after ranking fourth in 2010, and second in 2009.

Foreign Direct Investment


According to the official figures of 2009 available on the amountT of FDI in Abu Dhabi, it rose to Dh43.2 billion increasing by more than 11 per cent, compared to 2008. This reflected the attractiveness of the emirate to foreign investment, and the development of its investment environment. However, the volume of foreign investments in the emirate still remains low in view of the potential enjoyed by the emirate, and economic development experienced in recent years, in light of the efforts undertaken by various government agencies to develop and enhance the investment environment in the emirate, especially the Department of Economic Development, which made great strides and significant efforts in this area in accordance with the set goals of the Economic Vision 2030. These efforts encompassed comprehensive review of all laws, the establishment of the Business Centre to facilitate procedures for starting business in Abu Dhabi, the advancement of business services, and formulation of plans to overcome obstacles facing investment, within specific time frames.


Sources of FDI


No significant change in the sources of foreign investment in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi took place during 2009 compared to 2008. The first three places on the list of countries investing in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi did not change. UK came first in terms of investments of Dh4.3 billion in 2009, accounting for 9.9 per cent of total FDI in Abu Dhabi. France maintained the second place with DhD 3.2 billion, constituting 7.4 per cent of total FDI, while Australia ranked third with Dh3.2 billion investment. Kuwait advanced to the fourth place with Dh2.9 billion, while Japan fell to the fifth place with investments of Dh2.8 billion.

FDI by economic activity

The real estate and business services sector captured the largest share of foreign direct investment by economic activity, in Abu Dhabi in 2009, with investments amounting to Dh17 billion, constituting 39.3 per cent of total FDI in the emirate during the same year.

The financial mediation and insurance sector maintained the second place with investments of Dh6.2 billion, representing 14.9 per cent of total FDI. However, this figure was significantly low compared to 2008, as the share of the financial mediation and insurance sector then amounted to 25 per cent of FDI. The water and electricity sector came in third place with 13.6 per cent of total FDI in the emirate in 2009.