Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) closed 2025 with its highest-ever trade performance, recording AED491 billion in total trade and marking its fifth consecutive year of growth.
Total trade value surged 46% year-on-year, having quadrupled since 2020. Trade volume also climbed 50% to reach 667,800 tons, signalling that growth was driven by genuine commercial activity and cargo movement rather than price fluctuations alone.
DIEZ's share of Dubai's non-oil trade rose to 16% in 2025, a year in which Dubai's overall external trade crossed the AED3 trillion mark for the first time.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council, praised the record results, saying they reflect Dubai's ability to "stay ahead of global shifts and turn them into new opportunities for growth." He credited the achievement to the broader vision driving Dubai's economic strategy and said the results reinforce the emirate's role as a connector of global markets, investment and trade.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of DIEZ, said the 2025 figures demonstrate the resilience of the authority's economic model, built on value-added activities, logistical integration and technological advancement.
The machinery, electrical equipment and electronics sector led trade activity, accounting for over 70% of total trade with 42% growth. Precious stones, metals and pearls followed with 71% growth, contributing around 26% of total trade. Together, the two sectors represented approximately 96% of DIEZ's trade.
China remained the authority's largest trading partner at 28.7% of total trade, with Saudi Arabia second and India third. Officials noted the acceleration in trade with Saudi Arabia as a key driver of regional integration going forward.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
