Abu Dhabi’s Non-Oil Trade Totaled $51.7 Billion

Industrial supplies topped the value of non-oil merchandise trade by economic categories in November 2021 in Abu Dhabi trade (WAM)
Industrial supplies topped the value of non-oil merchandise trade by economic categories in November 2021 in Abu Dhabi trade (WAM)
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Abu Dhabi’s Non-Oil Trade Totaled $51.7 Billion

Industrial supplies topped the value of non-oil merchandise trade by economic categories in November 2021 in Abu Dhabi trade (WAM)
Industrial supplies topped the value of non-oil merchandise trade by economic categories in November 2021 in Abu Dhabi trade (WAM)

The value of non-oil foreign trade passing through Abu Dhabi ports over 11 months in 2021 amounted to some AED190.20 billion (51.7 billion), an increase of 2.9 percent compared to the same period in 2020, which saw a total of AED184.93 billion (%50.3 billion).

This data revealed by a report, titled, "Non-Oil Foreign Merchandise Trade Through the Ports of Abu Dhabi", and published by the Statistics Centre-Abu Dhabi (SCAD).

Abu Dhabi’s non-oil trade was distributed between imports worth AED83.63 billion ($22.7 billion) and non-oil exports worth over AED71.17 billion ($19.3 billion), an increase of 5.4 percent compared to the same period last year, in addition to re-exports valued at nearly AED35.39 billion ($9.6 billion), an increase of 10 percent compared to 2020.

The value of foreign trade through Abu Dhabi’s ports in November 2021 amounted to over AED20.35 billion ($5.5 billion) compared to AED16.83 billion ($4.5 billion) during the same reporting period in 2020, divided between imports worth AED8.37 billion ($2.2 billion) or 41.1 percent of total trade, non-oil exports worth AED7.79 billion ($2.1 billion) or 38.3 percent of total trade, and re-exports worth AED4.18 billion ($1.1 billion) or 20.6 percent of total trade.

Saudi Arabia was Abu Dhabi’s leading non-oil merchandise trade partner in November 2021, when the value of their trade exchange was AED4.87 billion ($1.3 billion), followed by China with AED1.15 billion ($313 million), then the US with AED1.146 billion ($311 million).

The value of non-oil merchandise trade going through customs in November 2021 was distributed between seaports with AED7.21 billion ($1.9 billion), airports with some AED5.98 billion ($1.6 billion), and land ports with AED7.14 billion ($1.9 billion).

The value of non-oil merchandise trade in November 2021 was distributed between the economic categories of industrial supplies worth AED11.56 billion ($3.1 billion); production merchandise other than transportation equipment worth AED2.71 billion ($737 million); transport equipment, parts and accessories worth AED2.49 billion ($677 million); food and beverages worth AED1.51 billion ($411 million); consumer goods worth AED1.96 billion ($533 million); fuel and lubricants worth AED88.8 million($24.1 million), and other goods worth AED12.5 million ($3.4 million).



CEO of Cisco Saudi Arabia: Our Investments in the Kingdom Continue to Support Digital Transformation

The logo of US networks giant Cisco Systems is seen in front of their headquarters in Issy-les-Moulineaux, near Paris, France August 6, 2022. (Reuters)
The logo of US networks giant Cisco Systems is seen in front of their headquarters in Issy-les-Moulineaux, near Paris, France August 6, 2022. (Reuters)
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CEO of Cisco Saudi Arabia: Our Investments in the Kingdom Continue to Support Digital Transformation

The logo of US networks giant Cisco Systems is seen in front of their headquarters in Issy-les-Moulineaux, near Paris, France August 6, 2022. (Reuters)
The logo of US networks giant Cisco Systems is seen in front of their headquarters in Issy-les-Moulineaux, near Paris, France August 6, 2022. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia has demonstrated a strong commitment to IT infrastructure amid significant advancements in the Kingdom’s tech sector on global indices. This has positively impacted Cisco, a global leader in security and networking solutions, which has reported consistent performance in line with the opportunities available in the country and reaffirmed its decision to continue investing in Saudi Arabia to support its digital transformation initiatives.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Salman Faqeeh, CEO of Cisco Saudi Arabia, said the Kingdom showcased the strength and efficiency of its infrastructure during the COVID-19 pandemic, positively influencing Cisco’s operations over the past few years.

Cisco, a technology company listed on the US stock market and headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, specializes in developing, manufacturing, and selling networking devices, software, and communication equipment.

Faqeeh stated that Cisco is committed to playing a key role in supporting Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation through strategic investments. In 2023, the company opened a regional office in Riyadh to strengthen its operations across the Middle East and North Africa and deepen its presence in the Kingdom. Senior executives also held high-level meetings with government and private sector leaders to solidify partnerships in the local market.

Faqeeh stressed that the company has consistently invested in programs to accelerate digital transformation, supporting the Kingdom’s efforts in key sectors and fostering an innovation ecosystem. He added that since the launch of Saudi Arabia’s Digital Transformation Program in 2016, part of Vision 2030 aimed at enhancing digital skills and promoting innovation, Cisco has implemented more than 20 projects in critical areas such as healthcare, education, and smart cities.

Faqeeh praised the Kingdom’s achievements in digital transformation, citing its significant progress on global indices. Saudi Arabia ranked second among G20 countries in the 2024 ICT Development Index and led in cybersecurity readiness.

Boosting cybersecurity is a top priority for Saudi Arabia, particularly given the rising number of cyberattacks globally, he added. In this context, he pointed to Cisco’s efforts to provide solutions that protect data and digital infrastructure, citing a 2023 Cisco study, which revealed that 99% of surveyed organizations in the Kingdom increased their cybersecurity budgets, although 67% reported experiencing security incidents in the past year.

He also addressed challenges in artificial intelligence (AI), highlighting a recent Cisco study that found 93% of Saudi companies have AI strategies, but only 7% are fully prepared with the necessary infrastructure to implement these technologies.

Moreover, Faqeeh underscored the impact of Cisco’s Networking Academy program in Saudi Arabia, which has trained over 336,000 individuals, including more than 35% female participants—one of the highest percentages globally.

Regarding academic collaborations, he emphasized Cisco’s ongoing partnership with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), aimed at improving the educational environment and empowering academic staff and students with cutting-edge solutions.

Cisco is also committed to environmental sustainability, aiming for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Faqeeh noted the company’s focus on delivering energy-efficient technology solutions and contributing to the Kingdom’s goals for carbon neutrality.

The company will participate as a strategic sponsor in the Black Hat cybersecurity conference, set to take place in Riyadh from November 26–28. According to Faqeeh, the company aims to use this platform to strengthen collaboration with clients and partners in the Kingdom, offering innovative security solutions that protect data and facilitate the safe adoption of AI technologies.