Abu Dhabi’s non-oil foreign trade zooms, touches Dhs151.18b mark

Inayat-ur-Rahman

Abu Dhabi’s non-oil foreign trade sector registered robust growth touching Dhs151.18 billion mark from January to September 2020, despite the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic.

The virus has halted global economic growth and most of the world economies are in recession.

The capital is expecting to see a growth of five per cent next year bucking the global trends, with the emirate’s economy well positioned for a strong rebound post COVID-19.

The General Administration of Abu Dhabi Customs continued its pioneering efforts to continue the uninterrupted flow of supply chains, and protect the economy and society’s safety during the virus.

The sector also distributed imports worth Dhs69.33 billion, exports worth Dhs55.37 billion, and re-exports worth Dhs26.48 billion.

These efforts were in line with the leadership’s directives to meet the requirements of the local basic commodities market for food and medical supplies, while applying the highest precautionary and preventative measures to maintain the health and safety of employees and inspectors working on the front lines.

The customs transactions completed by the General Administration of Customs of Abu Dhabi recorded around 788,699 transactions during the first nine months of this year, supported by the smooth completion of customs clearance operations and transactions.

Transportation methods were also diversified, with airborne trade accounting for Dhs51.35 billion, seaborne trade accounting for Dhs59.38 billion, and overland trade accounting for Dhs40.45 billion.

Rashid Lahej Al-Mansouri, Director-General of the General Administration of Abu Dhabi Customs, said that Abu Dhabi Customs, across all its sectors, adopted a strategic plan to ensure the continuity of supply chains’ flow and to facilitate the movement of trade across Abu Dhabi.

This was achieved by the 24/7 work on all customs border centres while applying the highest precautionary and preventive measures to maintain the health and safety of employees and inspectors working on the front lines.

Abu Dhabi's foreign trade helped diversify its global and regional markets, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, KSA, registering trade between the nations amounting to Dhs32.22 billion, followed by the United States of America with Dhs10.70 billion, Italy with Dhs9.85 billion, China with Dhs9.83 billion, Hong Kong with Dhs7.24 billion, Switzerland with Dhs7.22 billion, Japan with Dhs6.61 billion, India with Dhs5.83 billion, the United Kingdom with Dhs4.11 billion, and Kuwait with Dhs4.08 billion.

Pearls, precious stones and precious metals accounted for the highest-grossing commodity, amounting to Dhs27.64 billion, showing a growth of 157 per cent compared to the same period last year, which amounted to Dhs10.76 billion.

This was followed by machinery, recording devices, and broadcasting images and sound equipment worth Dhs 25.26 billion - an increase of 10 per cent compared to Dhs22.90 billion traded during the same period last year. Ordinary metals and their artefacts amounted to Dhs23.72 billion, followed by transport equipment amounting to Dhs22.23 billion.

This was followed by plastics and their articles and rubber and articles worth Dhs12.72 billion, by-products of chemical industries and related products worth Dhs10.67 billion, food and beverage products worth Dhs4.79 billion, plant products worth Dhs4.38 billion, live animals and animal products worth Dhs3.80 billion, and mineral products worth Dhs3.54 billion.

During the third quarter of this year, Abu Dhabi's non-oil foreign trade achieved growth of 10 per cent compared to the same period last year, to reach Dhs55 billion, with imports of Dhs21 billion, exports of Dhs25 billion, and re-exports of Dhs9 billion.

Gold and jewellery contributed Dhs15 billion in the third quarter of this year in Q3, followed by machinery, appliances and electrical equipment and parts thereof, which amounted to Dhs9 billion. This was followed by minerals and their articles amounting to Dhs7 billion, and transport equipment amounting to Dhs5 billion.