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Dubai’s Non-oil External Trade Reaches $322b in 2020

Dubai’s non-oil foreign trade strongly rebounded from the challenges posed by the global economic repercussions of COVID-19 and the suspension of business activity by countries across the world in the first half of last year to record high growth in 2020 - (WAM)
Dubai’s non-oil foreign trade strongly rebounded from the challenges posed by the global economic repercussions of COVID-19 and the suspension of business activity by countries across the world in the first half of last year to record high growth in 2020 - (WAM)
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Dubai’s Non-oil External Trade Reaches $322b in 2020

Dubai’s non-oil foreign trade strongly rebounded from the challenges posed by the global economic repercussions of COVID-19 and the suspension of business activity by countries across the world in the first half of last year to record high growth in 2020 - (WAM)
Dubai’s non-oil foreign trade strongly rebounded from the challenges posed by the global economic repercussions of COVID-19 and the suspension of business activity by countries across the world in the first half of last year to record high growth in 2020 - (WAM)

Dubai’s foreign trade in 2020 touched AED1.182 trillion ($322 billion), with total trade volume in 2020 reached 100 million tonnes, driven by a 6% year-on-year volume growth in the second half of the year.

Overall value of exports in 2020 grew 8% to AED167 billion while imports accounted for AED686 billion and re-exports totalled AED329 billion, state news agency WAM reported.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, said: "The exceptional growth performance of Dubai’s external trade sector reflects the emirate’s impressive resilience and its ability to recover and grow amidst international crises. Dubai has set an example for the world in dealing with both the economic and health repercussions of the pandemic. We were able to quickly renew our momentum of growth and reestablish our global leadership in various sectors."

"This growth has been made possible by robust governance and the stimulus packages the Dubai Government launched under the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The stimulus packages included a number of initiatives to support the foreign trade sector and enable it to continue playing its important role in national economic growth. The strong trade performance signals a positive start to the ‘Year of the 50th’’ and the efforts to achieve the goals of the UAE Centennial Plan 2071," noted Sheikh Hamdan.

For his part, Sultan bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman & CEO and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation said: "Dubai’s external trade sector impressively overcame the impact of a global trade downturn in 2020. With the gradual opening of borders, Dubai’s trade volumes started recovering and growing quickly in the second half of 2020. In the third quarter, Dubai’s trade surged 34% compared to Q2, and in Q4, trade grew by 7% to AED326 billion compared to Q3."

"To develop the external trade sector and play a greater role in maintaining Dubai’s leading position in global trade, the Dubai Chamber has been restructured by creating three new chambers of commerce. The new chambers will enhance support for the trade sector by creating new solutions for the needs of investors and companies as part of a strategy to grow the emirate’s global trade in line with the vision of Dubai’s leadership for the next 50 years."

Dubai’s direct trade in 2020 totalled AED711 billion, while trade through free zones reached AED464 billion and customs warehouse trade weighed in at AED7 billion. Airborne trade accounted for AED559 billion. Sea trade reached AED421 billion while land trade touched AED203 billion.

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S&P Global Ratings Affirms Saudi Arabia Credit Rating at A+ with Stable Outlook

An aerial view of the Financial District in Riyadh (SPA)
An aerial view of the Financial District in Riyadh (SPA)
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S&P Global Ratings Affirms Saudi Arabia Credit Rating at A+ with Stable Outlook

An aerial view of the Financial District in Riyadh (SPA)
An aerial view of the Financial District in Riyadh (SPA)

Credit rating agency S&P Global affirmed Saudi Arabia's credit rating at A+ with a stable outlook, according to its latest report.

It stated that the stable outlook reflects its view that Saudi Arabia will be able to withstand pressures stemming from the ongoing Middle East conflict.

This takes into account the Kingdom's diversified energy export infrastructure, including its ability to redirect crude oil exports to the Red Sea through the East-West oil pipeline, as well as its substantial oil storage and refining capacity both domestically and abroad.

The agency also noted that the stable outlook reflects continued non-oil growth momentum and associated non-oil revenue, together with the government's ability to calibrate investment expenditure linked to Saudi Vision 2030, which should continue to support the economy and fiscal trajectory.

Despite the conflict, non-oil activity has remained reasonably resilient, supported by consumer spending.

S&P expects real GDP to contract by 0.9% in 2026 before rebounding sharply by 8.2% in 2027, supported by an increase in oil production, and to average 3.3% in 2028-2029.

The non-oil sector, including government activities, now accounts for about 70% of GDP, up from 65% in 2018, reflecting continued structural progress in economic diversification.

The agency further highlighted Saudi Arabia's substantial net general government asset position as a key strength and noted that foreign-exchange reserves reached their highest level since early 2020.

It stated that the ongoing recalibration of Saudi Vision 2030 project implementation should support fiscal resilience. S&P also expects the Kingdom to continue adopting a prudent and flexible approach in this regard, having stressed its commitment to achieving Saudi Vision 2030 goals without jeopardizing public finances.

The agency noted that ongoing structural reforms will remain important in supporting non-oil growth.

Business

CEER to Reveal First Flagship Vehicles in Saudi Arabia on Sept. 21

A glimpse of the car's design that CEER aims to launch later this September (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A glimpse of the car's design that CEER aims to launch later this September (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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CEER to Reveal First Flagship Vehicles in Saudi Arabia on Sept. 21

A glimpse of the car's design that CEER aims to launch later this September (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A glimpse of the car's design that CEER aims to launch later this September (Asharq Al-Awsat)

CEER, Saudi Arabia's first automotive company and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), has announced the reveal date of the world premiere of its first flagship vehicles, an electric sedan and SUV, on September 21.

Friday’s announcement reflects the Kingdom’s strategic direction toward developing an advanced industrial sector aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position on the global automotive industry map.

“At the beginning of this year, we said that 2026 is the year of CEER. I am happy to announce that we’ve set the date for the reveal of our first flagship vehicles,” said CEO of CEER James DeLuca.

“The world is about to witness a historic moment, the result of an incredible journey from initial design and intensive engineering to the buildup of one of the most advanced manufacturing facilities in the world, in record time.”

CEER was created as a joint venture between the Public Investment Fund and Foxconn. It is the only company in Saudi Arabia to design, engineer, source, validate, manufacture, and soon sell and service a portfolio of aspirational vehicles.

CEER is positioned to be a key enabler of Saudi Arabia's industrial transformation (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Since its inception in 2022, CEER has been focused on building a diverse mix of Saudi talent and global experts that had grown from 20 employees to 2,300; securing key partnerships with renowned international partners including BMW, Hyundai Transys, Rimac, Siemens, Sabelt, Isoclima, ANDRITZ Schuler, Dürr, XYG, Lear, Benteler, Fangxin, Shin Young, JVIS, as well as leading local companies including Zamil Group, Abdul Latiff Jameel Group and APICO (Balubaid Group) that are driving the target of reaching 45% local content by 2034; building one of the most advanced manufacturing complexes in the world; and designing, engineering and testing vehicles that are tailor-made to the specific requirements of Saudi Arabia and the region.

CEER is positioned to be a key enabler of Saudi Arabia's industrial transformation, creating lasting economic impact and supporting the Kingdom's diversification ambitions under Vision 2030.

CEER is projected to contribute $8 billion (around SAR30 billion) to Saudi Arabia’s GDP, $21 billion (around SAR80 billion) to trade balance improvement, and create approximately 30,000 direct and indirect jobs, with 80% of direct jobs held by Saudis. CEER supports the Saudi Green Initiative target of Net-Zero emissions in Saudi Arabia by 2060.

Business

Oil Falls but on Track for 8% Weekly Gain on Supply Concerns; US Diesel Hits Record High

WHITING, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 08: An aerial view shows the sprawling BP refinery on September 08, 2026 in Whiting, Indiana. (Photo by SCOTT OLSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
WHITING, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 08: An aerial view shows the sprawling BP refinery on September 08, 2026 in Whiting, Indiana. (Photo by SCOTT OLSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
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Oil Falls but on Track for 8% Weekly Gain on Supply Concerns; US Diesel Hits Record High

WHITING, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 08: An aerial view shows the sprawling BP refinery on September 08, 2026 in Whiting, Indiana. (Photo by SCOTT OLSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
WHITING, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 08: An aerial view shows the sprawling BP refinery on September 08, 2026 in Whiting, Indiana. (Photo by SCOTT OLSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Oil prices fell on Friday but remained on course for a weekly gain of more than 8% while US diesel prices hit a record high as attacks along Middle East shipping routes stoked concerns about prolonged supply disruptions.

Brent crude futures were down $3.45, or 3.21%, to $104.18 a barrel at 1132 GMT.

US West Texas Intermediate crude fell $2.96, or 2.89%, to $99.52 a barrel. Both benchmarks hit their highest levels since mid-May earlier in the session.

The benchmarks reversed early gains after the Financial Times reported that foreign ministers in the Middle East are trying to work out a temporary deal with Iran to manage shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Brent and WTI rose more than 6% on Thursday after an escalation in shipping attacks in the region.

"Some headlines of possible new talks in the Middle East are weighing moderately on oil prices today," said UBS energy analyst Giovanni Staunovo. "I keep seeing near-term risks to the upside for oil prices, but we should expect ongoing high price volatility too."

In a further potentially significant development for Riyadh, satellite imagery showed smoke on Thursday in the vicinity of Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline, which has become a vital means for the kingdom to divert its crude exports away from Hormuz.

Saudi Arabia's crude supply fell by 2.3 million barrels per day on the month to 6 million bpd in August, the lowest level in more than three decades, the International Energy Agency said on Friday, citing attacks on Saudi energy facilities.

Adding to concerns over regional oil flows, Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis on Friday reached the island of Perim in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, four Yemeni government sources told Reuters, potentially tightening their grip on one of the world's vital shipping routes.

Iran said it had attacked 10 ships near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, after the US hit five Iranian oil tankers. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it would escalate its response to any further attacks.

Vessel transits at the Strait of Hormuz fell to seven on Thursday from 11 the previous day, preliminary ship-tracking data showed on Friday.

The strait handled about 125 commodity vessels and one-fifth of global daily oil and liquefied natural gas supplies before the Iran war began in late February.

Meanwhile, two European Central Bank policymakers opened the door on Friday to further interest rate increases if a war-fuelled rise in energy prices continues and pushes up other prices in the euro zone.

SUPPLY DISRUPTIONS LIFT FUEL PRICES

Oil supply disruptions due to the Iran war, along with Ukrainian attacks on Russia's refineries, pushed the US national average diesel price past $6 a gallon for the first time on Thursday, according to price tracker GasBuddy.

"Refined products, particularly diesel, are feeling a one-two punch right now," said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.

"As long as both the Gulf shipping constraints and Russian refining outages remain in play, diesel and other refined products are likely to show a higher upside tendency than the broader crude market," he added.

Commerzbank raised its year-end Brent crude forecast to $85 a barrel from $75, while increasing its diesel forecast to $1,200 a ton from $950 and its jet fuel forecast to $1,230 a ton from $980.