The UAE was the world’s 20th biggest exporter in 2011 The UAE was the world’s 20th biggest exporter in 2011, according to the World Trade Organisation secretariat. It means the Emirates surpassed countries like Australia, Brazil and Switzerland in the global trading charts. The UAE exported $285bn in merchandise trade, constituting 1.6 percent of the world’s exports which totalled to $18.215tr.
The WTO report also puts UAE as the 25th biggest merchandise trade importer in the world, ahead of countries like Austria, Malaysia and Sweden. UAE imported merchandise worth $205bn in 2011 which represent 1.1 percent of global imports. USA tops the list of importers with $2.265tr worth of imports in 2011.
Irfan al-Hassani, UAE based economist said that UAE\'s stature in global trading was down to the its sound economic strategy. \"The UAE has succeeded in making its market as a main business hub in the region and a gateway for several markets world wide,\" he said.
The figures were released ahead of the 27th International Autumn Trade Fair at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre between December 11 to 13, 2012.
This year, the fair will host official national pavilions of six countries, occupying 90 per cent of the 8,000-square metres of exhibition space. The national pavilions include 225 exhibitors from China, 25 from Hong  Kong, 20 from Korea, 20 from India, 15 from Indonesia and 15 from Malaysia. Other countries participating at IATF 2012 at individual levels include UAE, Taiwan, Japan and Czech Republic.