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).



Turkmenistan, China Launch Expansion of World’s Second-largest Gas Field

Former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang applaud during a ceremony launching the fourth of seven planned development phases at Galkynysh gas field, the world's second-largest gas field in the Karakum desert about 400 kilometres (250 miles) east of the capital Ashgabat, on April 17, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
Former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang applaud during a ceremony launching the fourth of seven planned development phases at Galkynysh gas field, the world's second-largest gas field in the Karakum desert about 400 kilometres (250 miles) east of the capital Ashgabat, on April 17, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
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Turkmenistan, China Launch Expansion of World’s Second-largest Gas Field

Former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang applaud during a ceremony launching the fourth of seven planned development phases at Galkynysh gas field, the world's second-largest gas field in the Karakum desert about 400 kilometres (250 miles) east of the capital Ashgabat, on April 17, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
Former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang applaud during a ceremony launching the fourth of seven planned development phases at Galkynysh gas field, the world's second-largest gas field in the Karakum desert about 400 kilometres (250 miles) east of the capital Ashgabat, on April 17, 2026. (Photo by AFP)

Turkmenistan and China broke ground Friday on works to expand production at the giant Galkynysh gas field, strengthening Beijing's already dominant position in the secretive Central Asian nation's energy sector.

The former Soviet republic, which holds the world's fourth-largest gas reserves, has exported nearly all its production to China since 2009, when the Central Asia-China pipeline opened.

In the middle of the desert, former president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov -- who effectively runs the country alongside his son, President Serdar Berdymukhamedov -- formally inaugurated the launch of the fourth of seven planned development phases at Galkynysh.

The ceremony was attended by Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, an AFP correspondent saw.

"Turkmen gas is a symbol of happiness -- it is present in every Chinese household," Ding said.

The event featured songs and dances celebrating Turkmen-Chinese friendship, staged with the lavish pomp typical of Turkmenistan's state-sponsored events.

Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, officially titled "Hero-Protector" and vested with sweeping powers, presided over the gathering.

Galkynysh, in the Karakum desert about 400 kilometers (250 miles) east of the capital Ashgabat, has been producing gas since 2013 and is the world's second-largest gas field, according to the British consulting firm GaffneyCline.

Expansion works are being carried out by the state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).

On a visit to Ashgabat the day before the ceremony, CNPC chairman Dai Houliang said "the friendship between China and Turkmenistan is as deep as the roots of a tree."


$27 Billion City to be Built East of Cairo

The project covers approximately 2.4 million square meters of land. Asharq Al-Awsat
The project covers approximately 2.4 million square meters of land. Asharq Al-Awsat
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$27 Billion City to be Built East of Cairo

The project covers approximately 2.4 million square meters of land. Asharq Al-Awsat
The project covers approximately 2.4 million square meters of land. Asharq Al-Awsat

Egypt's Talaat Moustafa Group (TMG) will build a new 1.4 trillion Egyptian pound ($27 billion) mixed-use city east of Cairo, CEO and Managing Director Hisham Talaat Moustafa said at a press conference on Saturday.

The project, called The Spine, is to be developed in partnership with ⁠the National Bank ⁠of Egypt, with a paid-up capital of 69 billion Egyptian pounds ($1.3 billion).

The project, to be built as a Special Investment ⁠Zone with TMG's Madinaty, covers approximately 2.4 million square meters of land, combining residential, commercial, hospitality, retail, entertainment, and public green space within a single continuous urban environment.

The investment is equivalent to roughly 1% of Egypt's GDP, according to Moustafa, and is ⁠projected ⁠to generate approximately 818 billion Egyptian pounds in tax revenues for the state budget over time.

The project is expected to create more than 55,000 direct jobs and hundreds of thousands of indirect positions.


Türkiye Says Iran Gas Pipeline Contract Nearing Expiry, No Talks Yet on Extension

Türkiye's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar -  REUTERS/Umit Bektas
Türkiye's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar - REUTERS/Umit Bektas
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Türkiye Says Iran Gas Pipeline Contract Nearing Expiry, No Talks Yet on Extension

Türkiye's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar -  REUTERS/Umit Bektas
Türkiye's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar - REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Türkiye's long-term contract for importing natural gas from Iran is due to expire in the coming months, and the two countries could hold talks on a possible extension, though no negotiations are under way yet, Türkiye's energy minister said on Saturday.

The agreement, due to expire in July, provides for delivery of 9.6 billion cubic metres of gas a year, but actual flows have often fallen short, Reuters reported.

Türkiye imported 7.6 bcm from Iran last year, accounting for 13% of total gas imports. Regulator data show the pipeline last hit the contracted volume in 2022.

"According to our forecast, we might need this gas pipeline or the gas flow from Iran for the security of supply of Türkiye. There is no negotiation right now ongoing. I think they are busy with so many other things. But we might sit and discuss a potential extension," Alparslan Bayraktar told reporters on the sidelines of a diplomacy forum in the southern Turkish province of Antalya.

"But we haven't started a negotiation during the current circumstances in the region," Bayraktar said, referring to the Iran war.

Bayraktar also said Türkiye was seeking to diversify natural gas supplies, including through Russian liquefied natural gas.