UAE Plans to Double Re-Exports by 2030

Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chairing the cabinet session (WAM)
Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chairing the cabinet session (WAM)
TT

UAE Plans to Double Re-Exports by 2030

Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chairing the cabinet session (WAM)
Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chairing the cabinet session (WAM)

The UAE approved 24 national initiatives seeking to double its re-export by 100 percent within the seven coming years through benefiting from the 50 commercial offices worldwide.

The initiatives include the establishment of a national re-export committee, which mainly contributes to supporting an increase in re-export rates. They mainly focus on developing new specialized areas in coordination with local governments and a value-added program for re-export.

The initiatives were launched during a cabinet session chaired by Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Sheikh Mohammed said: "We will double the country's re-export by developing specialized areas in cooperation with local governments, establishing the International Trade Links Center, launching supportive programs, and increasing foreign investments in the service sector.

The cabinet reviewed UAE's economic achievements during 2022 under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India.

The volume of non-oil trade between the two countries reached $21.5 billion by September 2022, achieving 23 percent growth in the same period in 2021 and 133 percent in 2020.

The volume of UAE non-oil exports to India recorded $5.3 billion in the same period, with a growth rate of 12 percent compared to the same period in 2021 and 154 percent compared to 2020.

"The meeting reviewed more than 19 initiatives to attract talent to the country. The UAE ranked second globally in the Competent Senior Managers indicator. Our goal is to attract the best talents in the world as we continue to empower and enable our Emirati talents and national cadres," according to Sheikh Mohammed.

The Vice President indicated that the session reviewed the Higher Commission Free Trade Negotiations results.

The UAE "signed four international agreements with four countries. The positive impact of international agreements is reflected clearly in the numbers of the UAE's foreign trade."

Sheikh Mohammed stated, "The meeting approved hosting the International Union for Conservation of Nature World Conversation Congress (IUCN) in 2025, which attracts more than 10,000 experts from more than 160 countries. The UAE will remain a leading hub for sustainability, nature conservation, and protection."

The cabinet approved a new federal law to replace the Federal Law on Maritime Commercial law, a Federal Decree Law about reorganizing the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), in addition to a ministerial decision adopting the UAE's approach for aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (Drones) products and systems in the country.

During the meeting, the cabinet approved ratifying the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Türkiye and Côte d'Ivoire.

It also ratified the country's accession to the Arab Customs Cooperation Agreement, the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), and the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate.



Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
TT

Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports soared to a two-year high in May, reaching SAR 28.89 billion (USD 7.70 billion), marking an 8.2% year-on-year increase compared to May 2023.

On a monthly basis, non-oil exports surged by 26.93% from April.

This growth contributed to Saudi Arabia’s trade surplus, which recorded a year-on-year increase of 12.8%, reaching SAR 34.5 billion (USD 9.1 billion) in May, following 18 months of decline.

The enhancement of the non-oil private sector remains a key focus for Saudi Arabia as it continues its efforts to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues.

In 2023, non-oil activities in Saudi Arabia contributed 50% to the country’s real GDP, the highest level ever recorded, according to the Ministry of Economy and Planning’s analysis of data from the General Authority for Statistics.

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan emphasized at the “Future Investment Initiative” in October that the Kingdom is now prioritizing the development of the non-oil sector over GDP figures, in line with its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan.

A report by Moody’s highlighted Saudi Arabia’s extensive efforts to transform its economic structure, reduce dependency on oil, and boost non-oil sectors such as industry, tourism, and real estate.

The Saudi General Authority for Statistics’ monthly report on international trade noted a 5.8% growth in merchandise exports in May compared to the same period last year, driven by a 4.9% increase in oil exports, which totaled SAR 75.9 billion in May 2024.

The change reflects movements in global oil prices, while production levels remained steady at under 9 million barrels per day since the OPEC+ alliance began a voluntary reduction in crude supply to maintain prices. Production is set to gradually increase starting in early October.

On a monthly basis, merchandise exports rose by 3.3% from April to May, supported by a 26.9% increase in non-oil exports. This rise was bolstered by a surge in re-exports, which reached SAR 10.2 billion, the highest level for this category since 2017.

The share of oil exports in total exports declined to 72.4% in May from 73% in the same month last year.

Moreover, the value of re-exported goods increased by 33.9% during the same period.