Dubai trade grows 34%

Dubai’s trade rose 34 per cent to Dh183 billion in the first quarter of 2011 as compared to Dh136 billion for the same period last year, according to Dubai Customs statistics released on Tuesday.

Nearly 11.92 million tonnes of goods were exported and re-exported during the quarter compared to 10.25 million tonnes for the same period in the previous year – an increase of 16 per cent.

Ahmed Butti Ahmed, Executive Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation and Dubai Customs Director General, stated that it reflected a growing improvement in the economic movement in Dubai and promising investment opportunities in the trade activities.

He pointed out that the growth was largely manifested in goods and products produced in Dubai which recorded 23 per cent growth to over two million tonnes by the end of the first three months of the current year as opposed to 1.7 million tonnes for the same period last year.

Ahmed Butti said: “The growth indicators highlight an economic sustainable growth in Dubai and a clear emphasis on the productive value added sectors in boosting the GDP per capita, luxury and diversify income resources. The growth accompanied all walks related to the direct trade exchange which besides exporting included re-exporting and importing."

The re-exports grew from Dh34 billion to Dh49 billion – an increase of 44 per cent.

Ahmed Butti said imports reached Dhs112bn as against Dhs87bn, a growth of 28 per cent.

Imports crossed eight billion tonnes during the first three months of this year as against 6.8 billion tonnes for the same period of the current year.

Free zones trade increased to record more than Dhs95bn compared to Dhs78bn - an increase of 23 per cent.

India continued to top Dubai's largest trade partner with bilateral trade amounting to over Dhs63bn during the first three months of the year, a 34 per cent of the total direct trade with the world. As for Dubai's imports from India, they also amounted to Dhs30bn whereas values of re-exports from Dubai to India were estimated at Dhs22.68bn and value of goods and products exported to India stood at over Dhs10bn.

China and USA came second and third place in the list of countries exporting to Dubai with value of Dhs10.68bn and Dhs7.52bn respectively.

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