The value of non-oil foreign merchandise trade through Abu Dhabi ports increased by 0.5 per cent from Dhs19.2 billion in the year to date in January 2019 to Dhs19.3 billion in the same period of 2020, according to figures released by Abu Dhabi Statistics Centre, SCAD, on Wednesday.

Imports increased by 5.8 per cent from Dhs 9.4 billion in Jan. 2019 to Dhs 10 billion in the same period of 2020, and non-oil exports increased by 0.4 per cent from Dhs 5.47 bn to Dhs 5.49 bn in the reference period. Re-exports reached Dhs 3.8 billion in the reference month.

Percentage contribution of imports, non-oil exports and re-exports to the value of non-oil foreign merchandise trade in January 2020 stood at 51.8 per cent, 28.5 per cent and 19.7 per cent respectively.

SCAD noted that Saudi Arabia was the key trade partner of Abu Dhabi in 2019 with two-way trade value standing at Dhs 4 bn, accounting for 21.1 per cent of the emirate’s total trade in January 2020.

Chine in the second place with Dhs 1.7 bn, followed by the US at Dhs 1.3 bn and then UK at Dhs 881 million.

Meanwhile, latest figures on the activity of the official portal of the UAE Government recorded around 11.752 million transactions involving the most used e-services in 2019.

 The UAE achieved significant accomplishments in the field of digital transformation in recent years, due to the provision of 5,713 federal and local government services through the official government portal in 2019.

 A comprehensive package of services provided online by the government’s official portal has made it the most advanced digital regional and international platform offering easy and flexible digital transactions to the public, with a digital signature option on applications and documents.

 In 2013, the UAE achieved an important milestone in adopting digital transformation, following the launch of the ‘’mGovernment Initiative’’ and the delivery of e-services to the public.

 The list of the most used e-services in 2019 includes traffic fine payment transactions, residence and work contract renewals, ID card services, entry passes, and electricity and water bill payments.

 Concerning the most used e-services in 2019, the number of traffic fines paid online amounted to 1,553,681 transactions, the number of work contract renewals amounted to 1,453,908 transactions, entry permits paid online amounted to 2,382,107, and around 1,866,107 electronic and water bill payments were made.

 A total of 1,123,999 new employment contracts were issued from inside the country, 761,821 residence permits were renewed, 697,538 ID cards were also renewed, 524,331 new residence permits were approved and 523,751 new ID cards were issued via the digital platform in 2019.

Meanwhile the Dubai Department of Economic Development has said that foodstuff trade in the emirate continues to run smoothly and as planned as a result of measures taken by the department to support the food security agenda in the UAE.

In a statement, the department, also known as Dubai Customs, noted that external trade in foodstuff for the first quarter of 2020 totalled AED11 billion, the equivalent of 2.87 million tonnes. It noted that it had worked alongside of Dubai Municipality to ensure that citizens and residents alike have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious supplies of food items including vegetables, fruits, meats, poultry and fish.

“Facilitating trade in foodstuff is our highest priority now, whilst taking all measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus,” said Nasim Al Muhairi, Director of the Statistics Department at Dubai Customs. “Making sure food is available and everybody has access to it is very important. We have the human and technological potential to facilitate trade and secure the borders, aided by our dedicated employees who excel even in hard times.” Al Muhairi added that Dubai Customs works closely with strategic government partners and businesses in the food sector to meet the market’s needs against any external pressures.

Dubai Customs affirmed in its statement that it had put in place all necessary arrangements and requirements to ensure delivery of foodstuff to the market without any delay. Inspectors and other employees at the customs centres provide the best services to facilitate foodstuff trade in line with the national efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus, it concluded he Business Registration and Licensing (BRL) sector at Dubai Economy has achieved record results in applying work-from-home and activating smart and electronic channels, as the total number of commercial registration and licensing transactions from March 22 to April 13 this year reached 14,366. Of these, 66% were electronic transactions and 34% were through Outsource Service Centres that provide Dubai Economy services remotely.

WAM/ Agencies