Trade through the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) reached a record $133.7 billion in 2025, marking the authority’s fifth consecutive year of growth.

DIEZ said total trade value increased 46% compared with 2024 and has quadrupled since 2020. Imports remained the main driver of growth for the third consecutive year, while the authority’s contribution to Dubai’s non-oil trade rose to 16% as the emirate’s total external trade exceeded $816.8 billion.

Dubai Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, said the results reflected the strength of Dubai’s economic and trade ecosystem, developed under the vision of UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

He said the figures demonstrated continued confidence among businesses, investors and trading partners in Dubai’s economic foundations, infrastructure and institutions, while underscoring the role of economic zones in facilitating regional and international trade.

The performance comes as Gulf countries continue to invest in logistics, free zones and non-oil sectors as part of broader economic diversification strategies.

Across the region, Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports reached $166 billion in 2025, up 15% year-on-year, while re-exports increased to $37 billion from $24.3 billion in 2024. In Oman, non-oil exports rose 7.5% to $17.4 billion, while re-exports increased 20.3% to $5.4 billion.

DIEZ said total trade volume increased 50% to 667,800 tons in 2025, indicating that growth was supported by higher cargo movement and commercial activity rather than price increases alone.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of DIEZ, said the results reflected the resilience of the authority’s economic model and its ability to deliver sustainable growth through value-added activities, logistics integration and technological advancement.

He said achieving $133.7 billion in trade and increasing DIEZ’s contribution to 16% of Dubai’s trade reinforced the authority’s role in strengthening the emirate’s position as a global hub for advanced trade.

By sector, machinery, electrical equipment and electronics accounted for more than 70% of DIEZ’s trade activity and recorded growth of 42%. Precious stones, precious metals and pearls followed, increasing 71% and contributing approximately 26% of total trade. Together, the two sectors represented around 96% of the authority’s overall trade activity.

China remained DIEZ’s largest trading partner, accounting for 28.7% of total trade. Saudi Arabia ranked second with a 9.6% share, followed by India at 8%.

Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of DIEZ, said the results reflected structural growth in trade flows and supply chains rather than short-term market factors.

He added that expanding trade relationships, particularly with Saudi Arabia, were creating opportunities for deeper regional integration and long-term economic cooperation.