The UAE’s economy maintained strong momentum in the first quarter of 2025, with real gross domestic product rising 3.9 per cent year-on-year to Dh455 billion, according to preliminary estimates released by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC).
Non-oil GDP posted 5.3 per cent growth, reaching Dh352 billion, while oil-related activities accounted for 22.7 per cent of GDP.
The UAE broke another record in non-oil economic activities that contributed 77.3 per cent of total real GDP as the country continues to diversify its economy.
Non-oil contributions to GDP stood at 71.3 per cent in 2020 and have gradually increased over the past five years.
The figures highlight the “strength and resilience of the national economy and its ability to continue its exceptional growth journey”, Abdullah bin Touq, Minister of Economy and Tourism, said in a Wam report on Sunday.
He noted that the performance reflects “the confidence of investors and the international community in the UAE’s business and investment environment, which has become a global model for adopting advanced economic policies and developing a legislative infrastructure that stimulates growth”.
The minister added that the milestone non-oil contribution affirms the UAE’s success in implementing its diversification strategy, aligned with the We the UAE 2031 vision, which aims to raise the country’s GDP to Dh3 trillion by the next decade.
Hanan Mansour Ahli, director of the FCSC, said that the results confirm the efficiency of the UAE’s economic model and the government’s success in developing sectors on a sustainable basis. She said the non-oil growth rate of more than 5 per cent reflects the UAE’s push to build a knowledge – and innovation-driven economy that empowers businesses and entrepreneurs.
Manufacturing emerged as the fastest-growing sector in the first quarter of 2025, expanding 7.7 per cent compared with the same period last year. The finance and insurance and construction sectors followed with 7 per cent growth each, while real estate activities grew by 6.6 per cent and trade by 3 per cent.
In terms of contribution to non-oil GDP, trade led with 15.6 per cent, followed by finance and insurance (14.6 per cent), manufacturing (13.4 per cent), construction (12.0 per cent), and real estate activities (7.4 per cent).
The latest figures reinforce the UAE’s trajectory towards sustainable, diversified growth, supported by policies that emphasise innovation, investment, and global competitiveness.
Trade agreements
The UAE has concluded 28 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (Cepas) to date with 10 already in effect and easing trade.
In the first quarter of 2025, the UAE’s non-oil foreign trade surged sharply with partners under these agreements – including a 33 per cent increase with India, 41 per cent with Turkey, 29 per cent with the US, and 15 per cent with China.
Trade with non-Cepa partners also grew, while exports rose from 18.4 per cent to 21.4 per cent of non-oil trade, driven by strong demand for UAE-made goods and services.
In the first half of 2025, Abu Dhabi alone recorded a 34.7 per cent jump in non-oil foreign trade, reaching Dh195.4 billion – a testament to its strategic role as a logistics and trade hub, supported by its geographic advantage and modern infrastructure.
The UAE and EU have commenced free trade negotiations, aiming to enhance trade in goods, services, investments, and strategic sectors such as renewable energy, healthcare, and AI.
In April, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed to initiate the free trade agreement negotiations, with the official talks beginning in May.
The EU remains the UAE’s second-largest trading partner with 8.3 per cent of non-oil trade.
Strategic investments
The UAE’s progress has also been underpinned by major strategic investments across high-growth industries. In first quarter of 2025, there was a strong wave of mergers and acquisitions, with 63 deals worth more than $20 billion according to Wam in May, marking the highest in the Mena region.
Notably, Abu Dhabi’s Group 42 acquired a significant stake in Khazna Data Centres, underscoring the nation’s commitment to expanding its digital economy and positioning itself as a regional technology hub.
The aviation sector also provided a substantial boost, following Etihad Airways’ landmark $14.5 billion agreement with Boeing and GE Aerospace for 28 wide-body aircraft powered by next-generation engines. This deal not only strengthens the UAE’s aviation industry but also drives demand in related sectors such as logistics, maintenance, and tourism.
Clean energy partnerships are also emerging as a cornerstone of the UAE’s non-oil growth. In January, the UAE signed a €1 billion agreement with Italy and Albania to develop renewable projects, including solar and wind infrastructure.
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The years Ramadan fell in MayKilling of Qassem SuleimaniKilling of Qassem SuleimaniKILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANIUAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsCOMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
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More on animal traffickingUAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsUAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsFarage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform’s annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
“We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country,” he said. “Quite why we’ve been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don’t know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat’s findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a “possible indicator of extremism” but it would not be banned.
The five pillars of IslamSkewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village’s Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
More coverage from the Future ForumRead more about the coronavirusOur family matters legal consultantName: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Name: Rain Management
Year started: 2017
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Employees: 100-120
Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund
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