Dubai: The UAE’s non-oil trade reached Dh256 billion in three months ending March 31, according to preliminary data from the Federal Customs Authority (FCA).
“FCA’s statistics show that imports accounted for 65 per cent, or Dh166.4 billion of the non-oil trade in the first quarter, while exports accounted for 11.8 per cent, or Dh30.2 billion and re-exports that represented 23.2 per cent, or Dh59.4 billion of non-oil trade,” FCA said in a press release on Tuesday.
In first quarter, Asia-Pacific and Australia accounted for 43 per cent, or Dh106 billion of total direct trade volume.
Europe was the second largest contributing region, accounting for 27 per cent or Dh67.2 billion, followed by the Middle East and North Africa region, which accounted for 14 per cent of Dh35.1 billion.
“UAE is keen on facilitating world trade and removing customs and non-customs hiccups before mutual trade with peers worldwide. This in turn would cement bilateral international relations, contribute to meeting national expectations and consumer growing demand while the UAE seeks to protect the society from illegal trade practices and maintain the economic interest of the business sector locally and overseas,” the FCA said.
The United States and Caribbean ranked fourth overall, accounting for 10 per cent of total non-oil trade, or Dh24.1 billion.
Value of non-oil trade between the UAE and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states was Dh22.9 billion in the first quarter. GCC imports accounted for Dh7.4 billion, while exports and re-exports were Dh7.7 billion, respectively.
