Sheikh Mohammed launches economic programme to attract top 1,000 trade companies
- Last updated: November 20, 2025 | 13:24 ..
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has witnessed the launch of the “UAE Global Centre of Trade” programme, the new strategy from the Ministry of Foreign Trade that aims to cement the UAE's position as one of principal centres of international commerce.
The programme is a strategic step to strengthen the UAE's position as a global gateway for goods and services, accelerate national targets for foreign trade, and open new markets for UAE exports.
The launch was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance; Lt. General Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of the Interior, and Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: "We launched an international economic programme to reinforce the UAE's global standing in foreign trade. The programme aims to attract the world's top 1,000 international trading companies and introduce a digital gateway that connects thousands of UAE exporters to global markets. The programme will create greater opportunities for Emirati products, open new export destinations, and further consolidate the UAE's position as a central hub in global trade routes."
The UAE Global Centre of Trade is a suite of bold, far-sighted initiatives that will build on the nation's successful foreign trade agenda and further increase non-oil exports, attract international trading and manufacturing companies, empower exporters with new technologies and tools, and identify new market opportunities around the world.
The launch of this programme, in partnership with several ministries, government agencies, departments, chambers of commerce and relevant institutions, is a strategic step that reflects the country's commitment to strengthening its strategic position on the global economic map as a major hub for international trade flows.
Dr Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, said the adoption of the programme reflects the UAE leadership's belief that trade is an essential catalyst of economic growth, development and diversification, and that collaboration with the world's most important markets continues to drive productivity and innovation.
"The initiatives under the UAE Global Centre of Trade programme will ensure we capture an ever-increasing share of international commerce, whether that's through offering new horizons for UAE exporters or providing a raft of benefits for companies seeking a platform for international expansion. By rolling out new tools to simplify exports, utilising AI to identify new markets and high-potential sectors, promoting the excellence of our private-sector across the world, and educating our businesses and entrepreneurs on the opportunities provided by our foreign trade network, we can better leverage our strategic position at a global crossroads. This is a moment for the UAE to restate the case for global trade and to demonstrate its ability to power the next stage of prosperity," Al Zeyoudi said.
The launch of the programme comes at a time when the UAE continues to achieve historic growth rates in its non-oil trade with the world. In the first nine months of 2025, non-oil trade reached Dhs2.67 trillion, a growth of 24.6% year-on-year. The UAE's non-oil exports also continued to achieve unprecedented historical growth rates, reaching Dhs579.4 billion during the same period, with a growth rate of more than 42.6 compared to the same period in 2024. During the first nine months of 2025, the value of re-exports reached Dhs597.7 billion, a growth of 15% from the same period in 2024, and the UAE's imports reached Dhs1.5 trillion, a growth of 22.8% compared to the same period in 2024.
The UAE Global Centre of Trade will be led and implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Trade in partnership with a wide range of strategic associates, including other ministries, federal and local government agencies, national institutions, and private-sector companies.