The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as UAE, is located in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering Saudi Arabia to the west and south, Oman to the east and northeast, the Persian Gulf to the north, and Iran across the sea. In 2024, the trade volume between China and Arab countries reached 101.838 billion US dollars, an increase of 6.861 billion US dollars compared to 2023, a year-on-year increase of 7.2%.

       The United Arab Emirates is one of the first countries to join the "the Belt and Road" initiative and actively respond to and participate in the "the Belt and Road" initiative. The scope of cooperation between the two countries continues to expand to multiple fields such as clean energy, renewable energy, communication, logistics, transportation, education, and finance. Currently, over 6000 Chinese companies are rooted in the United Arab Emirates.

       As one of the oldest countries in the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates has become the preferred destination for global businesses to enter the Middle East and North Africa markets due to its strategic location, economic liberalization, and open trade policies. How to develop the UAE market? The complete guide is here.

  Market conditions  

       The UAE's economy ranks second in the Middle East, with a population of approximately 9.517 million in 2023 and a per capita GDP of around 53000 US dollars. According to World Bank standards, it belongs to high-income countries, with oil production and petrochemical industry as its pillar industries.

       The United Arab Emirates is a member of the World Trade Organization, the Greater Arab Free Trade Area, a founding member of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and officially became a member of the BRICS in 2024.

       There is no threshold for import taxes and fees in the United Arab Emirates, and tariffs must be paid regardless of the value of the goods.

       The tariff rates for different imported goods in the UAE are also different. For example, the tariff rate for foreign liquor is 50%, while the tariff rate for beer is 30%. The tariff rates for food and beverages are usually between 5% and 10%, while the tariff rates for textiles and clothing are between 5% and 15%.

       Since 2003, the United Arab Emirates has imposed a uniform 5% tariff on 1236 types of goods, except for 53 duty-free items, in accordance with the regulations of the Customs Union of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. In addition, an additional fee of 30 dirhams (approximately 8.2 US dollars) is charged for each customs declaration.

  Market demand  

Technology and Innovative Products

Smart devices, smart homes, wearable devices and other technological products are popular due to their high technology and innovative techniques.

Health and Environmental Products

In the post pandemic era, there has been a significant increase in demand for health products such as organic food, fitness equipment, and health supplements, while environmentally friendly products are also receiving increasing attention.

Tourism and entertainment services

As a globally renowned tourist destination, the United Arab Emirates has a strong demand for high-end hotels, personalized travel, and upscale vacation experiences.

Construction and Industrial Equipment

Large infrastructure projects have driven the demand for building materials, industrial equipment, and smart city solutions, particularly in regions such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Strong demand for luxury goods

The high-income group has a strong demand for luxury goods, jewelry, luxury cars and other products, and brand image is the key to determining consumption.

  Market characteristics  

Multiple inquiries and extensive comparisons

Most UAE buyers have extensive experience in foreign trade and have many purchasing channels. They will inquire about prices from multiple suppliers and compare them. So, when quoting, you must not exaggerate too much, otherwise you will lose this customer. They have a quick temper and will demand that the exporter provide an immediate quotation; But their own speed of handling things is also very slow. If they tell you to reply today, it may take a few days. You need to be mentally prepared.

I like to see samples

UAE buyers usually request to see samples after receiving quotes from exporters, and even for goods they have imported in the past, they may request to see samples before making another transaction. So, when dealing with them, never overlook the quality of the samples.

Pursuing personalized experience

Due to the dominant consumption position of high net worth individuals, the UAE market focuses on customized and high-end service demands, especially in the fields of tourism, catering, and private financial services.

Cautious decision-making process

Customers conduct thorough research when making purchasing decisions and prefer products with good brand reputation and reliable service.

High brand loyalty

UAE consumers prefer big brands, especially international luxury brands. They have a high loyalty to the brand and are willing to pay a premium for high-end products.

Tend to long-term cooperation

UAE customers prefer to establish long-term partnerships with stable and trustworthy partners, and a successful transaction may lead to sustained orders.

The influence of social media

UAE consumers are greatly influenced by social media, and many purchasing decisions come from social media recommendations and online word-of-mouth.

  Main import and export products  

Exports: oil and natural gas, metal products (gold, gem, aluminum, copper wire and other metal products), cigarettes and perfume, traditional agricultural products (dates, fishery products, etc.).

In terms of imports: electronic products, mechanical equipment, medical equipment, automobiles and parts, chemicals, food and beverages, household goods, textiles, etc.

Main trading partners: China, the United States, India, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Switzerland, Japan, Oman, etc.

  Development channels for the UAE market  

local search engine

Google:http://www.google.com

Enterprise Directory Yellow Pages

https://www.yellowpages.ae 

https://www.yello.ae 

B2B

https://www.dubaitrade.ae

https://www.uaetradeconnect.com 

https://www.tradeling.com 

https://www.dubizzle.com 

https://www.aladdinstreet.com

Economic and Trade Website

Ministry of Economy:

www.moec.gov.ae/en/home

Abu Dhabi Investment Office:

www.investinabudhabi.ae

UAE Customs Authority:

https://uaecustoms.ae/Home.aspx

  Important exhibitions  

The Big 5, an international exhibition for the five major construction industries in the Middle East

Middle East Electricity Exhibition (MEE)

Middle East International Petroleum Expo (ADIPEC)

The Hotel Show Dubai

Gulfood Exhibition

Automation Exhibition in the Middle East

Beautyworld Middle East

Arab Health Exhibition

Seamless Middle East International Logistics Exhibition

Dubai International Consumer Electronics Show (GITEX)