The UAE’s non-oil foreign trade surged by 18.6 per cent year-on-year in Q1 2025, reaching Dhs835bn, as the country accelerates toward its economic diversification targets ahead of schedule, according to Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Media Office (DMO) reported.

Sheikh Mohammed stated: “The UAE’s non-oil foreign trade saw growth of 18.6 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of this year, reaching Dhs835bn (global average is 2-3 per cent). The nation’s non-oil exports experienced exceptional growth, surging by 41 per cent annually.”

UAE’s non-oil exports in Q1 2025

Non-oil exports recorded Dhs177.3bn in Q1 2025, a 40.7 per cent increase compared to Q1 2024 and a 15.7 per cent jump from the fourth quarter of 2024.

For the first time, non-oil exports represented over 21 per cent of the UAE’s total non-oil trade, outpacing both imports and re-exports.

“Our goal to grow non-oil foreign trade to Dhs4tn by 2031 will be achieved within the next two years; four years ahead of schedule. In 2024, GDP grew by 4 per cent, reaching Dhs1.77tn, with the non-oil sector contributing 75.5 per cent to the national economy,” Sheikh Mohammed added.

Re-exports grew by 6 per cent annually to Dhs189.1bn, while imports reached Dhs468.6bn, up 17.2 per cent year-on-year but slightly down 1.7 per cent from Q4 2024.

According to the (DMO) report, Sheikh Mohammed reaffirmed the country’s economic trajectory: “Under the leadership of HH [UAE President] Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s economic growth is achieving unprecedented success. Indicators of social, economic, and strategic stability and prosperity are at their highest historical levels. We are confident in an even brighter future, driven by the focused efforts of thousands of dedicated teams working to realise the UAE’s global ambitions.”

UAE’s top trading partners

Trade with the UAE’s top 10 trading partners rose by 20.2 per cent in Q1 2025, surpassing the 16.9 per cent growth rate with other countries. Bilateral trade with India increased by 31 per cent, with Saudi Arabia by 127 per cent, with Turkiye by 8.3 per cent, and with China by 9.6 per cent, breaking previous records.

The UAE has reported consistent record-breaking non-oil trade performance for several years, underpinning its efforts to position itself as a global hub for commerce, investment, and logistics.

The UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) has announced a new initiative aimed at improving the quality of life for senior citizens and residents, under the banner ‘We Are Your Support’, as part of the national ‘Year of the Community‘ campaign.

The initiative introduces a suite of innovative and integrated services designed to enhance the well-being, dignity, and independence of elderly citizens and long-time residents.

Key components include the National Housing Specifications Guide for Senior Citizens, free housing design options via the ‘Darak’ platform, and voluntary engineering consultations in energy, electricity, and construction through the ‘Aounkom’ initiative.

Dedicated advisors with experience in social services and fluency in local dialects have been appointed at MoEI service centres in Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah.

They are tasked with delivering tailored assistance and managing exceptional cases with sensitivity.

Gender-specific services

The initiative also introduces gender-specific enhancements. For elderly women, the ‘Leen Babek’ service enables home-based transaction processing to ensure privacy and comfort. For men, increased mobility support includes reserved parking, smart service desks, and personalised assistance through to the completion of services.

A ‘Golden Counter’ has also been launched at service centres to prioritise senior citizens’ transactions, alongside workshops aimed at increasing digital literacy among the elderly and offering direct support with digital services when needed.

We Are Your Support to empower senior citizens and residents

Sharif Al Olama, Under-Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at MoEI, said the initiative aligns with the leadership’s commitment to providing personalised, human-centred public services.

“We believe that serving the elderly is not just a duty, but a privilege and a gesture of gratitude toward a generation that contributed to building the nation,” Al Olama said. “The ‘We Are Your Support’ initiative was designed to be a model of empowerment and care, delivering an exceptional service experience that reflects the appreciation they deserve.”

He added that the initiative is part of a broader government strategy to eliminate bureaucracy and deliver proactive, seamless, and smart services that reflect the values of inclusion and respect for all community segments.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER), a global leader in ride-hailing and delivery, and WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD), a leading autonomous driving technology firm. Under the agreement, autonomous vehicles will begin pilot operations via the Uber app in Dubai later this year.

Read-WeRide, Uber to roll out autonomous vehicles in 15 more cities

The initial phase will feature autonomous vehicles operating with a safety driver onboard to monitor performance and ensure safety. The full commercial rollout of driverless services is scheduled for 2026, a Dubai Media Office report said.

Field preparations for the pilot program are currently underway, led by Uber and WeRide with strategic oversight and support from the RTA.

The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at RTA; Madhu Kannan, Chief Business Officer at Uber; and Ryan Zhan, Regional General Manager of Middle East and Africa at WeRide. The agreement was signed by senior representatives from all three organizations, including Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency; Frans Hiemstra, Regional General Manager for MEA at Uber; and Eric Dong, Director of Capital Markets and Corporate Development at WeRide.

Supporting Dubai’s smart mobility vision

Mattar Al Tayer hailed the agreement as a strategic step toward positioning Dubai as a global leader in smart and sustainable transport solutions.

“The introduction of autonomous vehicles in Dubai represents a significant leap toward a smart and sustainable mobility future, aligned with the leadership’s vision to transform Dubai into the world’s smartest city,” Al Tayer said. “This initiative supports the Dubai Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to convert 25 per cent of all journeys in Dubai to autonomous transport by 2030.”

Al Tayer emphasised that this agreement reflects Dubai’s commitment to adopting advanced technologies and innovative transport solutions that align with global best practices.

Strengthening global partnerships

In his remarks, Al Tayer highlighted the role of global collaboration in advancing autonomous mobility.

“The RTA is expanding its network of international partners to deploy a diverse range of autonomous mobility solutions, including self-driving taxis, air taxis, and marine transport modes,” he said. “This will enhance road safety, improve quality of life for residents and visitors, and support first and last-mile connectivity across the public transport network.”

He added that the transition to autonomous mobility is no longer a futuristic concept but an emerging reality. “Technology developers and governments worldwide are accelerating efforts to build infrastructure and regulatory frameworks that enable the safe deployment of autonomous vehicles,” Al Tayer noted.

Uber and WeRide align with Dubai’s vision

Frans Hiemstra, Regional General Manager for the Middle East and Africa at Uber, underscored the importance of the Dubai launch in Uber’s global strategy.

“At Uber, we are building the future of transportation—autonomous, electric, and shared,” Hiemstra said. “We’re excited to launch in Dubai with WeRide as our first technology partner. This marks a key milestone in making autonomous vehicle services more accessible globally.”

Jennifer Li, Chief Financial Officer and Head of International at WeRide, echoed the sentiment, calling the MoU a major step forward in the company’s regional expansion.

“The Middle East is a strategic priority for us,” Li said. “Just last month, we expanded our partnership with Uber to deploy robotaxis in 15 additional cities globally. This new agreement with RTA and Uber strengthens our commitment to Dubai’s goal of making 25 per cent of all transportation autonomous by 2030.”

Li added that WeRide’s advanced autonomous driving technology and global deployment experience position it to be a key enabler of this transformation.

Conclusion

The collaboration between RTA, Uber, and WeRide marks a pivotal milestone in Dubai’s efforts to lead the world in autonomous mobility. With pilot testing set to begin by the end of 2025 and a full commercial launch planned for 2026, Dubai is firmly on track to become a global testbed for cutting-edge transportation technologies.

The UAE has commenced its 21st annual ‘Midday Work Ban’, effective from June 15 until September 15.

A key part of the UAE’s sustainable labour strategy, the rule, enforced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), prohibits any outdoor work under direct sunlight between 12:30pm and 3pm daily.

The initiative aims to safeguard the health and safety of workers — particularly in construction and outdoor sectors — during the country’s peak summer heat, where temperatures often exceed 50°C.

MoHRE added that its inspection teams will conduct unannounced field visits to monitor compliance at work sites and labour accommodations across the country.

The ministry is also conducting awareness campaigns to inform both employers and employees of the regulations and the health risks of working in extreme heat.

Read: Summer skincare, nutrition: What the experts advise

Penalties for violators of midday work ban

Violators of the Midday Work Ban face fines of Dhs5,000 per worker found working during the restricted hours, up to a maximum of Dhs50,000, and may risk suspension of the establishment’s classification or operational permits.

The ministry also encourages the public to report violations through its call centre (600590000), website, or smart app.

Measures to be undertaken for workers

Employers are obligated to provide shaded rest areas, cooling systems, drinking water, electrolytes, and first-aid kits.

Exceptions to the ban are made only for urgent tasks, such as infrastructure repairs, which must be reported in advance and compensated with alternative rest periods.

The initiative supports the UAE’s “We the UAE 2031” vision, fostering a resilient and inclusive workforce.

The country hosts over 200 nationalities, making the safety and dignity of all workers a national priority.

The UAE’s real gross domestic product (GDP) reached Dhs1.776tn in 2024, marking a 4 per cent increase from the previous year, according to the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC). Non-oil GDP expanded by 5 per cent, totaling Dhs1.342tn, while oil-related activities contributed Dhs434bn to the overall economy, a WAM report said.

Read-Non-oil sector now makes up nearly 75% of UAE’s economy

Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri emphasised that the latest figures highlight renewed momentum and underline key milestones in the nation’s economic diversification efforts. “These indicators reflect the sustained success of the UAE’s economic strategies,” Al Marri said. “They demonstrate our transition toward an innovative, knowledge-based, and sustainable economic model in line with global trends and emerging technologies.”

Non-oil sectors accounted for 75.5 per cent of the UAE’s GDP by the end of 2024—an outcome the minister attributes to strong leadership and effective policy implementation. He affirmed that these results align with the broader goals of the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, which aims to raise the national GDP to Dhs3tn within the next decade.

Diversification strategy driving growth

Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the FCSC, echoed the sentiment, calling the 4 per cent GDP growth “a reflection of exceptional economic performance” and proof of the UAE’s commitment to a sustainable, non-oil-driven growth model.

“The leadership’s forward-looking approach prioritizes economic diversification not just as a strategic goal but as a central operational principle,” she said. Ahli added that this model enhances national competitiveness and social well-being, while ensuring consistent progress across development indicators.

This approach has translated into notable sectoral growth across the economy. The transport and storage sector emerged as the fastest-growing contributor to GDP in 2024, posting a 9.6 per cent year-over-year increase. This surge was largely driven by record airport traffic, with UAE airports handling approximately 147.8 million passengers—an increase of nearly 10 per cent.

Sectoral Highlights: Transport, construction, and finance

The building and construction sector recorded an 8.4 per cent growth rate, buoyed by significant urban infrastructure investments. Financial and insurance activities also performed well, growing by 7 per cent, followed by the hospitality sector—hotels and restaurants—which expanded by 5.7 per cent. The real estate sector grew by 4.8 per cent.

Among non-oil sectors, trade remained the top contributor to GDP, accounting for 16.8 per cent, followed by manufacturing at 13.5 per cent, and financial and insurance services at 13.2 per cent. The construction sector contributed 11.7 per cent, while real estate activities represented 7.8 per cent of non-oil GDP.

As the UAE continues its shift toward a knowledge-driven and globally competitive economy, government officials remain confident that these figures demonstrate a robust foundation for future growth and long-term economic sustainability.