Abu Dhabi Customs said its external trade in the first half of 2008 increased by 28.4 per cent to Dh46.6 billion ($12.6 billion) when compared to the same period in 2007.
Presenting the comprehensive report on external trade activities including imports, non oil exports and re-exports transactions during the first half of 2008, Saeed Ahmed Al Muhairi, vice director of the Abu Dhabi Customs Administration, said the imports during the first half of 2008 reached Dh40.145 billion when compared to Dh30 billion in the same period in 2007 thus registering an increase of 31 per cent.
The overall trade volume was Dh36.336 billion for half-year in 2007, he noted.
Al Muhairi pointed out that the data underscored the proactive attitude and international best practices followed by the customs sector.
He said that the continuous support of Abu Dhabi's leadership contributed to establishing Abu Dhabi's stature as a leading trading destination on regionally and internationally.
“Currently with Sau
di Arabia and Qatar as our top trading partners, we are working to promote Abu Dhabi as the trading hub of the GCC region.”
Non-oil Exports of Abu Dhabi increased to Dh3.341 billion in half-year 2008 compared to Dh2.761 billion in the first half of 2007 – an increase of 23 per cent.
Re-export activities grew from Dh2.938 billion in the first six months of 2007 to Dh3.154 billion for the same period this year.
Saudi Arabia, Japan and USA were the top three exporters to the Emirate in the first-half of 2008 while Saudi Arabia, Qatar and China were the top three destinations for Abu Dhabi's non-oil exports.
The top re-exports destinations were Qatar, Oman and India. The Department also announced that 58 per cent of imports were through sea ports while 30 per cent merchandise passed land borders and 12 per cent were through air freight.
He attributed the impressive growth in external trade to the unprecedented economic and commercial growth initiatives unveiled by Abu Dhabi under the leadership of UAE president Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Abu Dhabi crown prince and deputy supreme commander of the UAE armed forces Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.-TradeArabia News Service