Trade across the three economic zones run by the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) rose 17% to a record AED246 billion in the first half of 2026, the Government of Dubai Media Office said on Sunday.
It was the authority’s sixth consecutive year of record first-half trade. DIEZ oversees Dubai Airport Freezone, Dubai Silicon Oasis and Dubai CommerCity.
Imports rose 14% to AED134.8 billion. Re-exports grew 22% to about AED108.8 billion, and direct exports reached about AED2.4 billion.
The zones’ share of Dubai’s non-oil trade rose to about 16% from 15.4% in the first half of 2025.
Trade volumes fell to about 270,000 tonnes from about 298,000 tonnes a year earlier.
Machinery, mechanical appliances and electrical equipment accounted for about 66% of total trade. Precious stones, precious metals, jewelry and ornaments made up about 30%, and trade in that group rose 18% from a year earlier, according to the statement.
China remained the largest trading partner, with trade worth AED69.8 billion, or 28.4% of the total. Saudi Arabia followed with AED26.5 billion, or 10.8%, then India with AED17.6 billion, or 7.2%, and Vietnam with AED13.2 billion, or 5.4%.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, commended the results.
“Competition in global trade is no longer determined by trade volumes alone. Increasingly, it depends on the ability of economic hubs to ensure the continuity of trade flows, maintain resilient supply chains, and respond swiftly to change,” he said.
The authority said the growth came despite disruption to trade flows and supply chains, with logistics links across its zones helping companies adapt to changes in shipping routes.
Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, executive chairman of DIEZ, said the authority would focus on sustaining economic momentum in the coming period.
In August, DIEZ reported 96% occupancy across its zones for the first half, with the number of companies up 13% and their workforce up 24% from a year earlier.
