UAE non-oil foreign trade tops AED1.9 trillion in H1 2026

The UAE's non-oil foreign trade crossed AED1.9 trillion in the first half of 2026, Minister of Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi said on September 7 at the AIM Investment Summit in Dubai, as reported by WAM. He attributed the growth to the UAE's open, multi-partnership economic model and pro-business regulatory environment.

What is the UAE's non-oil foreign trade in H1 2026?

The UAE recorded AED1.9 trillion in non-oil foreign trade during the first half of 2026. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, announced the figure at the AIM Investment Summit in Dubai, crediting an open economy, strong infrastructure and business-friendly regulations for the growth.

What happened at the AIM Investment Summit 2026?

Al Zeyoudi chaired the 15th edition of the summit, held under the theme "Reshaping Global Prosperity: Opening New Investment Pathways Towards a Sustainable and Inclusive Future." The event brought together around 25,000 participants from 191 countries, alongside 540 global speakers. More than 100 keynote, interactive and dialogue sessions were held across the three-day gathering.

How much FDI did the UAE attract in 2025?

The UAE attracted $48.3 billion in foreign direct investment during 2025, Al Zeyoudi said. This placed the country ninth globally among the largest FDI destinations. Cumulative FDI stock in the UAE has now surpassed AED1.17 trillion, he added.

What are the UAE's priority investment sectors?

Al Zeyoudi named artificial intelligence, clean energy, climate technology, food and water security, and sustainable infrastructure as key sectors for future investment. He said the UAE offers investors more than a market: it positions itself as a global platform for growth, expansion and long-term partnerships built on knowledge transfer and job creation. He added that the next phase requires moving from talking about the future of investment to "investing in the future."