UAE foreign trade nears AED 3 trillion in nine months

The UAE's foreign trade has come close to AED 3 trillion in the first nine months of 2026, a level the country has not reached over a comparable period before. The figure was shared by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, in a post on X, according to Khaleej Times.

What was announced

According to the report, total foreign trade grew by 10 per cent compared with the same period of 2025. Sheikh Mohammed said this was the first time trade had approached AED 3 trillion within nine months. He also described the UAE as a major hub for international trade that adapts flexibly to changes in the global environment.

Exports to the country's ten largest trading partners rose by 31 per cent year on year, Khaleej Times reported. The article does not name those partners or break the growth down by sector, so the sources used here do not show which markets or industries drove the increase.

Why it matters for Dubai

Dubai is one of the UAE's main trading gateways, with its ports, free zones and logistics sector handling a large share of the country's goods movement. Strong trade volumes tend to matter to businesses that import, export, re-export or provide warehousing, shipping and customs services. They are also a signal for companies weighing a licence in a Dubai free zone or on the mainland, since trade-linked activities are among the most common reasons firms set up in the emirate.

Readers should note that the figures come from a statement by the Dubai Ruler and have been relayed by a news outlet. Detailed official statistics, including the split between oil and non-oil trade and the breakdown by partner country, were not included in the coverage reviewed.

What to watch

Full-year figures are normally announced after the year ends, and official trade statistics from federal and Dubai authorities may add detail on partners, commodities and transport modes. Businesses that rely on trade flows may want to follow those releases for a clearer picture of where growth is concentrated.