Dubai’s external trade with South Africa grows 17% to Dhs15.71bn in 2020

Dubai’s trade with South Africa in 2020 grew 17 per cent to Dhs15.71bn from Dhs13bn the previous year.

The figures were revealed by the Dubai Customs by way of its participation in the virtual investment and trade seminar organised by South Africa’s Department of Commerce.

At the seminar, Dubai Customs delivered a presentation on the emirate’s trade with South Africa and the opportunities to grow mutual trade.

South Africa has now became Dubai’s 23rd biggest trade partner.

Rashid Darwish, head of Customs Procedures Section at Tariff and Origin Department said that further growth in trade between Dubai and South Africa is expected.

He said that agricultural and food products were the main commodities in Dubai’s trade with South Africa.

Imports of these products in 2020 grew 11.7 per cent to Dhs1.34bn in 2020 from Dhs1.2bn in 2019.

“Investors can benefit from the great facilities and streamlined procedures and services Dubai offers to grow their business in different sectors and tap into the world’s markets,” said Darwish.

“There is noticeable growth in trade between Dubai and South Africa despite the big challenge posed by the spread of the covid-19 pandemic. More growth is expected in the future thanks to the wise planning and highly advanced facilities and services Dubai provides to the foreign trade sector.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has previously reiterated that plans are afoot to raise Dubai’s foreign trade from Dhs1.4 trillion to Dhs2 trillion in the next 5 years.