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UAE's Foreign Trade Reaches $599 Bn in 2022

The signing ceremony of 22 performance agreements (WAM)
The signing ceremony of 22 performance agreements (WAM)
    Abu Dhabi - Asharq Al-Awsat
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UAE's Foreign Trade Reaches $599 Bn in 2022

The signing ceremony of 22 performance agreements (WAM)
The signing ceremony of 22 performance agreements (WAM)

The UAE's foreign trade reached $599 billion in 2022, a growth of 17 percent, announced Vice President, Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid on Tuesday.

The country exceeded the $544 billion barrier for the first time in history after the country's non-oil foreign trade achieved a growth of 12 percent in 2020, recording $407 billion, and a jump of 28 percent in 2021 to reach $520 billion.

Sheikh Mohammed stressed that the UAE's foreign trade is accelerating, its international economic relations are growing, and the UAE's investment, tourism, and real estate demand is achieving unprecedented numbers.

He explained that the Emirati government would continue to provide the best environment for businessmen who accompany the country's historical growth journey.

The VP was speaking during the cabinet meeting held Monday, where he announced the approval of the National Framework for Sustainable Development to preserve ecosystems and ensure the sustainability of the country's natural resources.

"We also assigned the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment to coordinate government efforts in preparation for hosting COP28," he announced.

Sheikh Mohammed also announced that the cabinet approved the executive decisions to establish the National Space Fund, which aims to implement ambitious national projects in space, support youth capabilities and competencies, and attract the best space companies to the UAE market.

"We assigned the competent entities to submit an urgent study to the Cabinet on how to benefit from new AI technologies in government work, examine its future effects on the educational, health, media, and other sectors, and how the government will deal positively and safely with these technologies," he said.

Earlier, the Dubai Ruler witnessed the signing of a new series of performance agreements for several ministers and government officials.

The ceremony saw the signing of 22 performance agreements that commit government teams to ensuring the timely development of 80 transformational projects over the next six months.

The agreements support the leadership's vision to raise economic growth further, enhance competitiveness and consolidate the UAE's status as a model for global excellence.

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Revenue Growth, Improved Operational Efficiency Boost Profitability of Saudi Telecom Companies

A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
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Revenue Growth, Improved Operational Efficiency Boost Profitability of Saudi Telecom Companies

A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)

Telecommunications companies listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) achieved a 12.46 percent growth in their net profits, which reached SAR 4.07 billion ($1.09 billion) during the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 3.62 billion ($965 million) during the same period last year.

They also recorded a 4.76 percent growth in revenues during the same quarter, after achieving sales worth more than SAR 26.18 billion ($7 billion), compared to SAR 24.99 billion ($6.66 billion) in the same quarter of 2023.

The growth in the revenues and net profitability is the result of several factors, including the increase in sales volume and revenues, especially in the business sector and fifth generation services, as well as the decrease in operating expenses and the focus on improving operational efficiency, controlling costs, and moving towards investment in infrastructure.

The sector comprises four companies, three of which conclude their fiscal year in December: Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Mobily, and Zain Saudi Arabia. The fiscal year of Etihad Atheeb Telecommunications Company (GO) ends on March 31.

According to its financial results announced on Tadawul, Etihad Etisalat Company (Mobily) achieved a 33 percent growth rate of profits, bringing its profits to SAR 661 million by the end of the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 497 million during the same period in 2023. The company also achieved a 4.59 percent growth in revenues to reach SAR 4.47 billion, compared to SAR 4.27 billion in the same quarter of last year.

The Saudi Telecom Company achieved the highest net profits among the sector’s companies, at about SAR 3.304 billion in the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 3.008 billion in the same quarter of 2023. The company registered a growth of 4.52 percent in revenues.

On the other hand, the revenues of the Saudi Mobile Telecommunications Company (Zain Saudi Arabia) increased by about 6.69 percent, as it recorded SAR 2.55 billion during the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 2.39 billion in the same period last year.

Commenting on the quarterly results of the sector’s companies, and the varying net profits, the head of asset management at Rassanah Capital, Thamer Al-Saeed, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Saudi Telecom Company remains the sector leader in terms of customer base expansion.

He also noted the continued efforts of Mobily and Zain to offer many diverse products and other services.

Financial advisor at the Arab Trader Mohammed Al-Maymouni said the financial results of telecom sector companies have maintained a steady growth, up to 12 percent, adding that Mobily witnessed strong progress compared to the rest of the companies, despite the great competition which affected its revenues.

He added that Zain was moving at a good pace and its revenues have improved during the second quarter of 2024. However, its profits were affected by an increase in the financing cost by SAR 26.5 million riyals and a rise in interest, while net income declined significantly compared to the previous year, during which the company made exceptional returns.