Finance08 September, 20262 min read
Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi Says UAE Non-Oil Foreign Trade Exceeds AE$1.9 Trillion in H1 2026
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UAE non-oil foreign trade reached about AED 1.9 trillion in H1 2026. Figures were announced by Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi at the AIM Investment Summit 2026.
8 outlets told this the same way.
UAE trade and FDI surge
UAE Minister of Foreign Trade and chairman of the 15th edition of the AIM Investment Summit 2026, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, said the UAE’s non-oil foreign trade exceeded AE$1.9 trillion during the first half of 2026. Global Times also said Al Zeyoudi added that during 2025 the UAE attracted FDI inflows of $48.3 billion, advancing to ninth place globally among the largest destinations for foreign direct investment. IndexBox put the same H1 2026 trade figure in AED terms, saying the UAE’s non-oil external trade climbed past AED1.9 trillion ($517 billion) during the January-to-June period.
IndexBox further said the report presented at the summit indicated the country drew $48.3 billion in foreign direct investment in the prior year, securing the ninth position worldwide among leading FDI destinations. IndexBox added that the nation’s accumulated FDI stock surpassed AED1.17 trillion ($318 billion) as Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi emphasized the UAE’s role as a worldwide centre for commerce and investment.
Helly Forum and navigation
At the Helly Forum 2026, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, said in his keynote address that “international shipping lanes must remain free from any restrictions or fees.”
الإمارات اليوم said Al Zeyoudi also stated that “no state owns the Strait of Hormuz,” and that “no state has the right to determine who may pass and who may not,” calling it a red line for the UAE.
The same outlet reported that UAE non-oil foreign trade reached a record 1.94 trillion dirhams in the first half of 2026, up 13.1% year-on-year and 80% higher than the first half of 2022.
البيان said the Helii Forum in Abu Dhabi concluded its activities in four sessions, discussing how data, drone aircraft, and digital technologies are shifting global power balances and their reflections on security and economy.
Menafn’s text attributed to Al-Zeyoudi that the UAE’s non-oil exports reached an all-time high of 453 billion dirhams during the first half of 2026.
AIM summit scale and next steps
IndexBox said the AIM Investment Summit 2026, held under the banner “Reshaping Global Prosperity: Opening New Investment Pathways Towards a Sustainable and Inclusive Future,” convened 25,000 attendees from 191 countries and organisations. IndexBox added that the event featured 540 speakers who participated in 103 sessions, spanning keynote addresses, interactive discussions, and dialogues, as confirmed by the organisers. Global Times said Al Zeyoudi explained that the UAE prepared early for global transformations and continued to develop an economic model built on openness and international partnerships.
IndexBox said Al Zeyoudi credited the UAE’s commercial and investment role to an open, flexible, and diversified economic framework, modern infrastructure, and a supportive legal and regulatory system. In a separate statement carried by Gulf News, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs underscored that the UAE Government “does not comment on media stories or speculation regarding conversations between government leaders.”