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UAE non-oil trade hits record Dh1.4tn in first half of 2026
The milestone, driven by economic partnerships and key sector growth, signals new opportunities in the nation's job and business landscape.
The UAE's non-oil foreign trade reached a historic AED 1.4 trillion in the first six months of 2026, the Ministry of Economy announced. This growth creates significant job openings in logistics and manufacturing while offering new export avenues for UAE-based businesses.
The UAE's non-oil foreign trade soared to a record AED 1.4 trillion in the first half of 2026, a 12.4% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Economy. This robust performance directly impacts the job market by fueling demand in logistics, trade finance, and manufacturing, and opens new avenues for local businesses to expand internationally under favorable trade agreements. ## What changed In an announcement made in August 2026, the UAE Ministry of Economy confirmed that total non-oil trade from January to June 2026 reached AED 1.4 trillion. This represents a significant jump from the AED 1.24 trillion recorded in H1 2025. The growth was driven by a sharp 15% rise in non-oil exports, which hit AED 235 billion. Key export sectors included: - Gold and precious metals - Aluminum - Refined petroleum products - Polymers - Machinery and electrical equipment The UAE’s top trading partners continue to be China, India, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and Turkey. Trade with Turkey saw a particular surge, growing by over 35% in H1 2026, largely attributed to the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) established in 2024. ## Who is affected…