Abu Dhabi’s non-oil boom: Export certificates jump 10.3% in a year

Image credit: WAM/ website

The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) has reported a robust increase in the issuance of certificates of origin, underscoring the strength of Abu Dhabi’s non-oil exports and the success of the emirate’s economic diversification strategy.

Between June 2024 and June 2025, certificates of origin issued by the Chamber rose by 10.3 per cent compared to the same period a year earlier.

Read-Why Abu Dhabi is the new hotspot for homebuyers

This increase signals a broader base of active exporters and a diversification in the emirate’s economic landscape, aligning with Abu Dhabi’s long-term development goals, a WAM report said.

The rise in certifications reflects ADCCI’s efforts to empower the private sector, boost global market access for local businesses, and position Abu Dhabi as a regional trade and investment hub. The data affirms the emirate’s strengthening role in global supply chains and international commerce.

Export growth surges across sectors

Abu Dhabi’s non-oil foreign trade witnessed impressive growth in the first half of 2025, soaring by 34.7 per cent year-on-year. Non-oil exports rose sharply by 64 per cent, while re-exports increased by 35 per cent, and imports grew by 15 per cent, highlighting the dynamism of the emirate’s economic ecosystem.

These results build on the strong performance in 2024, when non-oil trade climbed 9 per cent, non-oil exports grew by 16 per cent, re-exports rose 11 per cent, and imports increased 3 per cent.

According to ADCCI, certificates of origin were issued to companies operating across various sectors, with chemicals, metals, and engineering industries being the most prominent. These figures highlight the emirate’s evolving industrial capabilities and its push to grow a high-value, export-driven manufacturing base.

SMEs accelerate global reach

A key factor in this export success story is the growing participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These businesses are increasingly tapping into global markets, backed by a range of targeted initiatives from the Chamber, including export training programs, business matchmaking services, and strategic partnerships with international trade authorities.

Shamis Al Dhaheri, second vice chairman and managing director of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, stated, “The sustained rise in certificates of origin is a clear sign of the emirate’s thriving export sector. This momentum shows that our companies are globally competitive and agile in seizing new market opportunities.”

He added, “It’s also a testament to the trust global markets have in the quality of our products and services. We remain committed to supporting Abu Dhabi’s non-oil exporters, particularly SMEs, by delivering world-class trade facilitation services and helping them grow sustainably.”

Certificates as catalysts for economic expansion

Certificates of origin, essential documents that confirm the national origin of goods, are critical tools for exporters. They enable businesses to benefit from preferential trade terms under bilateral and multilateral agreements, giving UAE-based exporters a distinct competitive edge.

Al Dhaheri emphasised the chamber’s focus on expanding digital trade services, enhancing partnerships, and advocating for the private sector as part of its mission to support Abu Dhabi’s strategic economic vision.

“Certificates of origin serve as gateways to broader trade opportunities,” he said. “They also play a vital role in increasing the private sector’s contribution to Abu Dhabi’s economic progress.”

The Chamber reiterated that the growth in trade certifications reflects growing confidence in its services and underlines the private sector’s resilience. “We’re committed to advancing Abu Dhabi’s ambitions for a sustainable, export-led economy, and we will continue developing platforms that help local businesses expand globally,” Al Dhaheri concluded.