UAE Prime Minister Honors Trade Teams As 2024 Trade Hits AED5.23 Trillion

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, met with the Foreign Trade team from the Ministry of Economy and the CEPA negotiation team to recognize their excellent work.

These teams played a key role in boosting the UAE's foreign trade to a record AED 5.23 trillion in 2024, with a trade surplus of over AED 490 billion, showing the strength and stability of the national economy, WAM reported.

The meeting was held at Union House in Dubai and was attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, along with Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that trade has been essential for building civilizations and remains vital for long-term economic growth. He attributed the UAE's success in foreign trade to its visionary approach, strong partnerships, adaptable policies, and the hard work of teams who see geography as a starting point for growth rather than a limit.

Sheikh Mohammed praised the effective collaboration among the entities driving the country's foreign trade, urging them to keep innovating to ensure the UAE's continued leadership in global trade. He stressed that the UAE is not just participating in global trade but actively influencing its future.

Positioned as a key link between East and West, the UAE has earned trust and respect globally. Sheikh Mohammed also expressed his gratitude to everyone contributing to the growth of the nation's trade, recognizing their role in the UAE's success on the world stage.

During the meeting, Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education, gave a lecture on integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into public school curriculums across the UAE. She highlighted the government's decision to equip future generations with the skills needed to master AI, which will transform not just work and production, but also societies as a whole.

The UAE has signed 21 CEPAs, opening up access to global markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, which together make up about 25% of the world's population.

These agreements are a key part of the UAE's "Projects of the 50," aimed at boosting non-oil trade. The UAE now leads the Middle East with 41.4% of total goods exports, ranking 11th globally for goods exports and 13th for services exports.