Non-oil Exports Up Despite Downturn

DUBAI - Non-oil exports from companies in Dubai that are based outside the emirate’s free zones increased by two per cent in the first half of 2009 compared to the same period last year, in spite of the worldwide economic slowdown, a top government official said on Monday.

Read more...

By Abdul Basit

Published: Tue 7 Jul 2009, 3:15 AM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 9:39 PM

Dubai’s main non-oil exports include gold and diamond jewellery, primary aluminium, beverages, chocolate and other food products such as sugar and canned food.

“We do not feel the crisis, especially for exports in the emirate,” Dubai Export Development Corporation Chief Executive Officer Engineer Saed Al Awadi told Khaleej Times. Dubai exported goods worth Dh42.6 billion in 2008, up 57.2 per cent from exports valued at Dh27.1 billion in 2007. Al Awadi said detailed export data for the first half of this year were not yet available.

India topped Dubai’s export market in 2008, buying 40.7 per cent of the emirate’s total direct — or non-free zone — exports. Switzerland came next, with 6.4 per cent, followed by Egypt, with 4.1 per cent, according to Dubai World’s statistics department. Dubai exported gold and jewellery last year worth Dh23.5 billion, or 55.2 per cent of the emirate’s total direct exports, according to the data.

“Dubai’s beverage technology firms are highly developed and have been very successful in entering foreign markets markets,” Al Awadi said earlier, speaking at a news conference about the forthcoming Dubai Drink Technology Expo.

Within the GCC beverages market, the compound annual growth rate for 2008 was 6.7 per cent for bottled water, 7.2 per cent for ready-to-drink tea products, 8.3 per cent for energy drinks and 6.2 per cent for liquid milk, according to the exhibition’s organisers.

Beverage companies from more than 64 countries have shown interest in participating in the trade fair, which is to start on December 6.

“The beverage industry has not been affected (by the recession) because you cannot stop drinking,” said Dr Ahmed Al Banna, Secretary-General of Arab Asian Beverage Meeting.

abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com

Abdul Basit

Published: Tue 7 Jul 2009, 3:15 AM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 9:39 PM

Recommended for you