Dubai’s economy remains resilient to global economic headwinds caused by the negative impact of the Covid-19 outbreak with its external trade in the first quarter of 2020 reaching Dh323 billion (88 billion), said Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, citing official data.
Exports grew 2 percent to Dh43 billion compared to the corresponding quarter last year, while the imports accounted for Dh189 billion and re-exports hit Dh92 billion.
The volume of Dubai’s external non-oil trade reached 24 million tons – imports accounted for 16 million tons, exports 4.2 million tons, and re-exports 3.6 million tons, he stated.
On the steady growth, Sheikh Hamdan said: “Dubai has demonstrated its economic resilience amidst the global Covid-19 crisis. Though the pandemic has impacted markets around the world, Dubai’s external trade has been able to maintain its momentum thanks to the diversity of its markets and its ability to adapt to global changes, trends and needs.”
“We are reaping the benefits of what our leadership has sown. From an early stage, our leadership invested in developing infrastructure and advanced technology that have enabled us to be resilient amidst crises and turn challenges into opportunities,” he stated.
“To support businesses during this difficult time, we announced a stimulus package plan which included a refund of 20 percent of the customs fees imposed on imported products sold locally in Dubai markets from March 15 to June 30,” he stated.
“The package also includes the cancellation of the Dh50,000 bank guarantee or cash required to undertake customs clearance activity. Bank guarantee or cash paid by existing customs clearance companies will be refunded,” he added.
Direct trade in Q1 2020 reached Dh188 billion while trade out of free zones reached Dh133 billion, and customs warehouse trade accounted for Dh2 billion. Land trade contributed Dh4 billion, sea trade Dh116 billion, and air trade Dh163 billion.
Against all odds and despite the many challenges and hurdles facing the world market due to the outbreak of Covid-19, customs transactions in Dubai skyrocketed 60 percent to reach 4 million in Q1 2020, from 2.5 million in the corresponding quarter last year. This reflects the resilience of the Dubai economy and its ability to cope with changes and challenges.
TradeArabia News Service
06/05/2020
